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The French government under Prime Minister Michel Barnier appears to be teetering on the brink of collapse, with recent polling indicating widespread public dissatisfaction just three months into his tenure.
An Ipsos survey conducted for La Tribune Dimanche reveals that 53 percent of French citizens would support a no-confidence vote to dissolve the current administration. Barnier’s popularity has taken a significant hit, with his approval rating plummeting from 45 percent in September to a mere 36 percent currently.
Fresh French government faces an old threat — collapse @lilyradz https://t.co/MtCstBb9QS
— Courthouse News (@CourthouseNews) November 22, 2024
The situation appears even more dire for President Emmanuel Macron, whose approval rating has reached an all-time low of 22 percent since his election in 2017.
The former EU Brexit negotiator, now 73, was initially selected as a stabilizing force to navigate France’s fractured National Assembly through economic challenges. However, his austere budget proposal, which includes 60 billion euros in combined tax increases and spending reductions, has faced strong opposition from both the leftist New Popular Front and Marine Le Pen’s National Rally.
Following multiple failed attempts to pass his budget, Barnier is scheduled to meet with opposition leaders this week, including an unprecedented consultation with Le Pen. The National Rally leader has indicated her willingness to support the left’s no-confidence motion if Barnier refuses to address her party’s concerns about proposed electricity and vehicle tax increases.
Macron decided to trigger the "nuclear option" Article 49.3 to adopt his pension reform plan without the French National Assembly.
The government may collapse: His decision is expected to trigger a no-confidence vote.France is Burning. Uncontrolled. pic.twitter.com/FSaycUp9Ra
— Timothy Robert (@timingnl) March 16, 2023
Should Le Pen’s party join forces with the New Popular Front, Barnier’s government would likely collapse. Constitutional restrictions prevent Macron from calling new legislative elections until June next year, leaving him with limited options, including either reinstating Barnier or establishing an unprecedented technocratic government.
The technocratic option, previously implemented in Italy, would involve appointing unelected, supposedly neutral experts as ministers. While this approach might facilitate the implementation of unpopular austerity measures, it would mark the first such government in France’s Fifth Republic.
