A no-confidence vote against the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier of France was handily defeated on Tuesday. But there is more drama to come, as the lack of a legislative majority causes deep political uncertainty.
What happened?
An alliance of left-wing lawmakers known as the New Popular Front tried to topple Mr. Barnier by bringing a no-confidence motion to the floor of the National Assembly, France’s lower and more powerful house of Parliament.
It received only 197 votes in favor, falling well short of the 289-vote majority it needed. If it had passed, President Emmanuel Macron would have had to appoint a new prime minister.
Everyone — including the New Popular Front — knew the no-confidence motion was almost certain to fail. But it still served as a symbolic protest by the French left. It is deeply opposed to Mr. Barnier, a veteran politician from the right-wing Republican party.
Mr. Barnier and his cabinet, the product of a tenuous coalition of centrists and conservatives, were appointed in September by Mr. Macron.
“I do not need to be reminded that this is a minority government,” Mr. Barnier told lawmakers in the National Assembly. But, he added, “there is no absolute majority in this assembly — for anyone.”
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Source link : https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/08/world/europe/michel-barnier-france-no-confidence-vote.html
Author :
Publish date : 2024-10-08 17:44:52
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.