French President Emmanuel Macron faced calls for his resignation following the resignation of Prime Minister Michel Barnier after a no-confidence vote collapsed his government, making him the shortest-serving French prime minister in history. Macron was set to address the nation amidst the political turmoil. The events happened just days before the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, which was destroyed in a fire in 2019. Macron had promised to have it restored and opened by 2024, and the reopening was seen as a major milestone for him. However, the political instability overshadowed the celebrations.
The vote against Barnier was a result of anger over his controversial efforts to push through a 2025 budget without parliamentary approval. The National Assembly, composed of Macron’s centrist allies, the left-wing New Popular Front coalition, and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally, voted overwhelmingly against him. Macron’s political future has become uncertain as he now must find a new prime minister that the divided parliament can approve. His decision to call surprise snap elections earlier in the year has been criticized for contributing to the current chaos. The country now faces deeper political uncertainty as Macron navigates the fallout of Barnier’s resignation.
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