Political Earthquake: France Braces for Government Collapse

The French government faces potential collapse as opposition lawmakers push a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s Cabinet. The political scene is plagued by division, with the National Assembly split into three major blocs, leaving President Macron to appoint a new prime minister if the motion succeeds.

France's minority government faces an uncertain future, with opposition lawmakers poised to cast a no-confidence vote that could topple Prime Minister Michel Barnier's Cabinet. Scheduled for Wednesday, the vote follows a contentious budget debate and could lead to a historic period of political instability.

The precarious situation stems from the fractured National Assembly, which is divided among three significant groups: the left-wing New Popular Front, centrist allies of President Emmanuel Macron, and the far-right National Rally party. No single group possesses an outright majority, complicating governmental stability.

Amidst this turmoil, there's no clear successor to Barnier. If the government falls, Macron is tasked with the challenging role of appointing a new prime minister. The political deadlock also threatens financial markets, with warnings of economic turbulence if a stable resolution is not quickly achieved.

(With inputs from agencies.)