France politics LIVE: Barnier’s government collapses after vote of no confidence defeat…..Read More

France’s Prime Minister Michel Barnier lost the vote of no-confidence after trying to pass a controversial budget.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has lost a vote of no confidence in Paris’ National Assembly, meaning the collapse of Emmanuel Macron’s government.

Mr Barnier, who leads a minority government, came under fire on Monday after he used special powers to push through a social security budget bill without MPs voting on it.

Both the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) and the far-right National Rally (RN) said they would support the no-confidence motion, despite being at the opposite sides of the political spectrum.

President Macron now has to try and form a new government as Paris’s political crisis continues.

The crisis started earlier this year when Mr Macron called a snap parliamentary election, which saw no alliance of parties win enough seats to secure a majority.

Mr Barnier, who leads a minority government, came under fire on Monday after he used special powers to push through a social security budget bill without MPs voting on it.

Both the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) and the far-right National Rally (RN) said they would support the no-confidence motion, despite being at the opposite sides of the political spectrum.

Mr Barnier is deemed unlikely to be backed by the French parliament today, but he said it’s “possible” the motion may not pass.