Regarding Macron’s speech on Thursday: Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), said on social media: “The warning to President Macron, the supposed guarantor of the Constitution, is not anti-republicanism. It is enshrined in the Constitution of our Fifth Republic.”
The no-confidence vote that toppled Barnier’s leadership was held by the New Popular Front (NFP) left-wing alliance and Le Pen’s RN.
They are united in condemning the government after the former Brexit negotiator used special powers to pass the budget without a vote.
A total of 331 members voted to support the motion against Barnier, far more than the 288 needed for passage.
Barnier resigned on Thursday and the budget was automatically withdrawn. He will serve as a trustee alongside ministers until a new government is appointed. Macron’s role will not be affected.
Macron has been heavily criticized for calling early elections, deadlocking parliament and escalating the political crisis.
He admitted in his speech that he “didn’t understand” his decision. “A lot of people criticized me for this, and I know a lot of people continue to blame me. That’s true and it’s my responsibility.”
Addressing voters directly, he said some of his political opponents had chosen “confusion over responsibility” and were not thinking about “you, the voters,” suggesting their focus was on the next presidential election.
Macron did not say who the next prime minister would be, but said the immediate focus would be the 2025 budget.
Speculation is swirling about who could be nominated as a potential candidate, including Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Interior Minister Bruno Ritaille and centrist former presidential candidate François Bayroux.
Macron asked his predecessor before choosing Barnier as prime minister. Gabriel Attal will remain caretaker for two months after the summer elections.
It appears unlikely that the next government will take office before Saturday, when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and other world leaders will attend the opening ceremony for the rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The building was destroyed by fire in April 2019, and was rebuilt less than five years later to worldwide acclaim.
President Macron said the rebuilding of the destroyed cathedral and France’s successful hosting of the 2024 Olympics were “proof that we can do great things.”
“We can do the impossible,” he said. “The world respects us for that.”
