Paris: French Prime Minister Michel Barnier submitted his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday after a no-confidence vote against him and his government by the French Parliament. According to Kuwait News Agency, Barnier left the Elysee Palace after a one-hour meeting with Macron, during which he officially stepped down. Macron had held in-person and phone meetings last week to assess potential candidates for the now-vacant prime ministerial position, aiming to avoid delays like those seen last summer after the dissolution of Parliament, the report noted. BFM revealed that Macron anticipated Barnier's downfall, considered replacements like Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Pau Mayor Francois Bayrou, and is reportedly determined to appoint a successor within 24 hours. Meanwhile, Macron is expected to give a speech to the nation later today regarding the recent developments. Barnier's resignation followed his failure to secure parliamentary support after invoking Article 49.3 to bypass a parliamentary vote and push through the controversial 2025 social security budget as part of the national budget. The 2025 budget, which failed to gain parliamentary backing, aims to reduce France's massive deficit by saving USD 60 billion and introducing new taxes. Notably, Barnier's government is the first to face a successful no-confidence vote since 1962.
