France is embroiled in a deepening political crisis following a no-confidence vote that ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government, Al Jazeera reports.
The vote, a joint effort by right- and left-wing parties, has left the country without a budget for 2025 and sparked accusations of an “anti-Republican front” from President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron, in a televised address on Thursday, condemned the opposition’s actions, asserting that they had chosen “disorder” over stability. While right- and left-wing politicians claimed their united front aimed to improve the welfare of French citizens, the move has thrown France into political turmoil for the second time this year.
The crisis presents a potential opportunity for far-right leader Marine Le Pen and her Rassemblement National (RN) party, which has long sought to govern France. The RN, known for its anti-immigrant and nationalist policies, came in first in the first round of July’s snap elections but ultimately fell short of securing a majority.
Le Pen has actively sought to expand the RN’s appeal, a strategy some analysts believe was employed during the vote against Barnier’s government. The RN’s demands included increased state pensions, a reversal of medical reimbursement cuts, and other budget concessions. While Barnier claimed to have listened to their concerns, his attempt to pass the budget without a parliamentary vote led to the RN’s support for the no-confidence motion.
The RN’s actions have drawn criticism. Amine Snoussi, a political advisor at the French parliament for La France Insoumise, suggested the party sought to pressure Macron into adopting their policies or risk further government collapses.
The public, particularly those opposed to the far-right, now crave stability, according to Adam Hsakou of the German Marshall Fund. He believes that addressing key public concerns like health, security, and the economy could undermine Le Pen’s strategy, potentially marginalizing her influence.
Le Pen’s ambitions remain fixed on the Élysée Palace. While she has attempted to modernize the RN’s image, distancing herself from her father’s controversial past, her core anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim stances persist. The current crisis presents both opportunities and risks for her. While it strengthens her position within the political game, it could alienate moderate voters and her more populist base who see her as compromising with the establishment.
The timing also coincides with Le Pen’s ongoing trial on charges of embezzling EU funds, adding another layer of complexity to her political maneuvering. Some analysts speculate that the current instability might benefit Le Pen by potentially triggering early presidential elections before the trial concludes. However, she has not explicitly pushed for Macron’s resignation.
President Macron, however, has ruled out resigning.
