Paris, France (Agencies): French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is facing a vote of no confidence in his minority government after using special powers to push through a social security budget bill without a vote by MPs. The vote, triggered by the radical left France Unbowed (LFI) opposition party and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN), could take place as early as Wednesday.
Despite last-minute concessions, Barnier did not believe he could get his budget bill over the line. The New Popular Front, an alliance of several left-wing parties, emerged top against Macron’s supporters and the far right following early elections in July. The alliance was furious with Macron’s decision to veer to the center-right by picking Barnier as his new prime minister and promised to vote against the government.
Barnier has had to rely on the RN for his government’s survival. The budget bill sought to rein in France’s spiraling deficit through €60bn (£49bn) in tax rises and spending cuts. Due to the lack of a majority, Barnier was forced to make concessions, including scrapping a planned hike in electricity tax and plans for a less generous prescription drug reimbursement policy from next year. However, the new version of the social security budget remained unacceptable to the opposition.
Using Article 49.3 of the French constitution, which allows a bill to be passed without a vote, Barnier pushed through his 2025 budget after the RN joined the left in opposing it. “I don’t think French people will forgive us for choosing party interests over the future of the country,” Barnier told MPs on Tuesday. “Now, everybody will need to assume their own responsibility as I have assumed mine.”