New French Prime Minister Michel Barnier "survived" the vote of no confidence

Photo: EPA-EFE / OLIVIER HOSLET / POOL

New French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has survived a no-confidence motion by the left, the first test for his government whose support in parliament is fragile. The proposal, which needed 289 votes to be adopted by a majority of the 577-member National Assembly, was supported by only 197 deputies, writes "Le Monde". 

Barnier, a former right-wing European Union Brexit negotiator, was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron in a bid to bring stability after inconclusive parliamentary elections in July. The 73-year-old prime minister has since tried to take the reins firmly, warning that France faces a financial crisis if its budget deficit is not reduced and warning of higher taxes on high earners.

Macron, whose term runs until 2027, has taken a notable back seat in recent weeks, particularly on domestic issues, while making uncharacteristically rare public comments.

The appointment of Barnier, a figure from the traditional right of the Republicans (LR), who was an EU minister and commissioner, was also a contrast for the French. They saw three prime ministers who were virtually unknown before their appointment come and go in four years.

But Barnier and his right-wing government could be ousted at any moment if a future no-confidence motion is passed in the National Assembly of the House of Commons.

The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) enjoyed the most confidence of any coalition in the polls – even if the far-right National Rally (RN) emerged as the largest single party.

"The existence of this government, in its composition and its orientation, is a negation of the result of the legislative elections," states the proposal, which was defended by the leader of the Socialist Party (PS), Olivier Fauré.

"Hijacking democracy"

He accused the government of orchestrating a "hijack of democracy", telling Barnier that his administration "should never have been appointed" and describing the LR as a "crushed party" that had been repeatedly defeated in elections.

Barnier rejected the proposal, telling Faure that he was aware of the Socialist's intention to overthrow the government "before I open my mouth, form a government or make a statement on general policy".

Proposed by the NFP coalition of socialists, communists, hard-leftists and the Greens, the proposal never had much of a chance of succeeding on Tuesday after the far-right RN under three-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen made it clear it would not support it.

"I think the situation is serious enough not to collapse this government before it starts," RN lawmaker Laure Lavallette told France 2 television before the vote. "We're going to give the product a chance... We can't add to the mess like you (the leftists) are doing," she added. Even Fauré has already admitted that Barnier will remain "in control of the country at the end of this session".

Commentators have noted that the fate of the Barnier government risks being at the mercy of the RN, vulnerable to the "sword of Damocles" wielded by Le Pen, who is expected to run for the presidency in 2027. The Prime Minister has shown that he is aware of the risks ahead. "I know I am in the hands of the parliament," he told the weekly La Tribune Dimanche.

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