French populist Marine Le Pen has vowed to vote against the minority French government after Prime Minister Michel Barnier invoked an article triggering a confidence vote and, potentially, a snap election. Barnier invoked Article 49.3 of the French constitution, which allows a government to pass a law without a vote in parliament but causes a vote of confidence in the government itself.
Marine Le Pen and her National Rally (RN) have vowed to vote against the government alongside left-wing parties like France Insoumise (France Unbowed), which has the potential to bring Barnier down. His government has only been in place since September.
Barnier invoked Article 49.3 to push through the budget after refusing to give in to Le Pen’s demands on raising pensions in line with inflation and eliminating planned cuts to reimbursements for medication, among other priorities.
“Mr. Barnier did not wish to respond to the request of the eleven million voters of the National Rally. He said that everyone will assume their responsibilities, so we will assume ours,” Le Pen said on Monday afternoon, adding, “We are tabling a motion of censure, and we will vote to censure the Government.”
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Should the vote succeed, President Emmanuel Macron may be forced to try to form a new administration. Another snap election seems possible, although there is some question over whether this would be constitutional before 12 months have elapsed since the previous election.
It will also mark the first time a French government has fallen due to a confidence vote since 1962. A voter is expected by Wednesday.
Should the government fall, French media claim it could cause a ripple effect, as the budget will not be passed. This in turn, could lead to a shutdown of the government and a potential financial crisis for France and the European Union more broadly.
