French Prime Minister Michel Barnier handed in his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, following the collapse of his government due to a historic no-confidence vote in parliament. Barnier will continue in a caretaker role until a new prime minister is appointed, as stated by the Elysee Palace.
The no-confidence vote, backed by both the far-right National Rally and left-wing opposition parties, marks the first successful motion of its kind in France since 1962, when Charles de Gaulle’s presidency faced a similar parliamentary challenge.
President Macron is now under pressure to swiftly appoint a new prime minister to avoid further political instability, especially given the fragmented parliament following the June snap elections, which left no party with a clear majority.
