In the absence of a majority, Barnier used executive powers to force through the legislation without a vote, a procedure described in Article 49.3 of the French Constitution.
He now risks being ousted as several parties are expected to table a no-confidence vote, according to French media reports.
The Opposition Wants to Bring Him Down
It is now up to you... to decide whether our country should have a responsible, indispensable, and useful budget law for our French citizens, or whether we should venture into unknown territory, says Barnier to the parliamentarians.
Mathilde Panot from the left-wing party LFI has announced that her party will formally request a no-confidence vote this afternoon. The French far-right party National Rally (RN) has announced that it will vote to bring down the government.
First Time Since 1962
A vote could take place as early as Wednesday. If the combined left and far-right parties join forces, the government will fall in a no-confidence vote – for the first time since 1962, writes France 24.
I don't think the French will forgive us if we choose party interests over the country's future, says Barnier.
When news of the possible government crisis broke in the afternoon, the Paris stock exchange fell from being marginally positive to a few tenths of a percent negative.
Now each and every one must take their responsibility, as I must take mine.
In the parliamentary election at the beginning of July, both the combined left and far-right parties made significant gains, but without achieving a sufficient majority. Instead, French President Emmanuel Macron's movement was forced to seek out the traditional right to try to form a new government.
