France’s new conservative Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s minority government has survived a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly, two weeks after taking office. The vote was a crucial test for Barnier’s government, as it is forced to rely on the goodwill of the right-wing parties to stay in power. The left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, consisting of France Unbowed, Socialists, Greens, and Communists, brought the no-confidence motion, which received 197 votes, a significant margin short of the 289 votes needed to pass.
The National Assembly is divided into three major blocs: the New Popular Front, President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist allies, and the right-wing National Rally party. None of the blocs won an outright majority in the June-July parliamentary elections. The National Rally group, led by Marine Le Pen, chose to abstain from voting on the no-confidence motion, giving the government a chance to operate.
Prime Minister Michel Barnier (Image via Getty)
Barnier’s Cabinet is composed mainly of members from his Republicans party and centrists from Macron’s alliance, totaling just over 210 MPs. The left-wing MPs, who secured the most seats in the National Assembly, denounced the choice of Barnier as prime minister, claiming they were not given a chance to form a minority government. Olivier Faure, head of the Socialist Party, accused the government of “democratic hijacking” and “illegitimacy.”
Barnier rejected these accusations, emphasizing that his government is not illegitimate and that no party has an absolute majority. He stated, “I don’t need the government to be reminded it’s a minority one. Nobody has an absolute majority.” The vote demonstrates that while the left-wing coalition is strong, it is not strong enough to overthrow the government without the support of other parties.
The outcome of the vote allows Barnier’s government to continue operating, albeit with limited powers. Barnier has pledged to work with all parties in the National Assembly, stating that he will “continue to listen, respect, and seek dialogue with each group in this assembly.” The government’s survival will be closely monitored, as it navigates the complex political terrain of France.
