French govt collapses as PM Michel Barnier loses no-confidence vote

French Prime Minister Michel Barniers government has been defeated in a confidence vote in the French National Assembly intensifying a political crisis and raising concerns about the countrys budget for the coming yearFrances farright and leftwing lawmakers joined together on Wednesday in a historic noconfidence vote prompted by budget disputes that forced Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet members to resign a first since 1962 reported Associated PressThe National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes A minimum of 288 were neededPresident Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027 However he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time after Julys legislative elections led to a deeply divided parliament reported the Associated PressMacron will address the French on Thursday evening his office said without providing details Barnier is expected to formally resign by thenA conservative appointed in September Barnier becomes the shortestserving prime minister in Frances modern RepublicI can tell you that it will remain an honour for me to have served France and the French with dignity Barnier said in his final speech before the vote reported the Associated PressThis noconfidence motion will make everything more serious and more difficult Thats what Im sure of he saidOpposition to Barniers proposed budgetWednesdays crucial vote rose from fierce opposition to Barniers proposed budgetThe National Assembly Frances lower house of parliament is deeply fractured with no single party holding a majority It comprises three major blocs Macrons centrist allies the leftwing coalition New Popular Front and the farright National Rally Both opposition blocs typically at odds are uniting against Barnier accusing him of imposing austerity measures and failing to address citizens needsSpeaking on TF1 television after the vote National Rally leader Marine Le Pen said we had a choice to make and our choice is to protect the French from a toxic budget reported the Associated PressLe Pen also accused Macron of being largely responsible for the current situation adding that the pressure on the President of the Republic will get stronger and stronger reported Associated PressSpeaking at the National Assembly ahead of the vote hardleft lawmaker Eric Coquerel had called on the government to stop pretending the lights will go out noting the possibility of an emergency law to levy taxes from January 1 based on this years rules reported Associated PressThe special law will prevent a shutdown It will allow us to get through the end of the year by delaying the budget by a few weeks Coquerel saidMacron to pick a new prime ministerMacron must appoint a new prime minister but the fragmented parliament remains unchanged No new legislative elections can be held until at least July creating a potential stalemate for policymakersMacron said discussions about him potentially resigning were makebelieve politics during a trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this week according to French media reportsIm here because Ive been elected twice by the French people Macron said He was also reported as saying We must not scare people with such things We have a strong economyWith inputs from Associated Press