Dakar, Dec 4 (APS) – Opposition deputies overthrew the French government with the help of a motion of censure adopted this Wednesday.
This is the first time since 1962 that a motion of censure aimed at overthrowing the government has been adopted in France.
Three hundred and thirty-one deputies voted for the text proposed by the New Popular Front parliamentary group (opposition), forcing the government led for three months by Michel Barnier to have to submit its resignation to the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron.
Michel Barnier is expected Thursday at the Elysée, the residence of the French President of the Republic, to officially submit his resignation, several French media reported.
The left-wing deputies of La France insoumise joined their voices with those of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally to bring down Michel Barnier’s government.
The motion of censure was proposed after Mr. Barnier activated 49.3, a provision of the French Constitution which allows bills to be passed without resorting to a vote by the majority of deputies. The Prime Minister used it in particular to pass the 2025 finance bill.
”Everything is not perfect in this budget,” he admitted while at the same time warning the parliamentary opposition: ”Censorship will make everything more serious and more difficult […] Government action will be interrupted.”
Michel Barnier maintains that a desire for “institutional destabilization” of the country is at the origin of the motion of censure.
”This choice involves a collective responsibility, because it is the lives of the French that you have in your hands,” he added.
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