All indications are that on December 4, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier will most likely lose both the budget and the no-confidence vote in parliament. No one wants to sign the cuts proposed by the government. And France needs to cut spending because it is already one of the most indebted countries in Europe. If the president is unable to find a new prime minister, he can assume the powers of the head of government himself.
It was a festive move. Michel Barnier's government has linked the fate of next year's budget to its continuation. As a result, France has no budget and no government, as Barnier is likely to lose a no-confidence vote on December 4.
– We have reached the moment of truth, which demands responsibility from everyone. Now it's up to you, members of parliament, whether the state adopts a well-prepared and well-thought-out budget that is necessary for our citizens, or whether we enter uncharted waters, Prime Minister Barnier said in parliament. .
The central government needed the votes of the opposition to pass the budget. But neither the left nor the right wants to sign up to cuts, such as limiting indexation of pensions.
The debt is twice the EU ceiling
France needs to cut costs because it is already one of the most indebted countries in Europe. Its huge public debt is more than three trillion euros. This is 112 percent of the country's GDP, which is almost twice the maximum allowed by the European Union. Exceeding the threshold of 60 percent of GDP is considered excessive.
– We had a lot of political theater in recent days. The markets are concerned, their value will fall again. For the first time in history, the percentage of French debt is higher than that of Greece. “Greece has long been considered one of the weakest economies in the European Union, so this is a real rebuke to France and the country's current situation,” said Richard Lowe, head of Reuters' Paris bureau.
Both the left and the right announce that they will vote against the government. If it fails, it will be impossible to organize early elections in France for a long time, because the French only voted. They can go to the polls again in June at the earliest, a year after the dissolution of the previous parliament.
Will Macron take over the powers of Prime Minister?
President Macron is trying to find a new prime minister. Michel Barnier will only be responsible for so-called “day-to-day management”. If it is not possible to secure funding, for example, for the health sector, a situation will arise in which Macron himself will assume the powers of the prime minister.
– He recognizes that the situation is special, and then, based on Article 16 of the constitution, he starts directly managing the country, – says Michel Wiatto, journalist of France Press in Poland.
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The turmoil in the French political scene began after the European elections in June. After the disastrous result of his party, Emmanuel Macron announced early parliamentary elections and lost the elections. The United Left Party and Marine Le Pen's extreme right won the best results. Both of these forces were excluded from forming a minority government.
– Macron should now drink the beer he brewed himself. He appointed a prime minister who was not elected by the people. A resident of France says that he did not respect the will of the nation and ignored both the left and the right, leading him to an impasse.
– It was a lost situation. Honestly, I thought that the government would fall earlier, so I predicted that it would be a disaster for this country, – repeats another resident.
Opportunity for Poland
The year 2024 will end with a political crisis in two large countries of the European Union. The government in Paris and the coalition supporting Olaf Scholz's government in Berlin collapsed. In this situation, more responsibility is assigned to other European capitals, including Warsaw, because Poland will assume the presidency of the European Union from January 1.
– We have a difficult situation in Germany where the coalition has broken. The French president, who was clearly visible as the leader of European affairs, also has serious problems. In a sense, it spoils the spectacular opening ceremony of the Notre-Dame Cathedral after its restoration, says Michel Viatto.
The famous monument, which has been restored after the fire, will be unveiled next weekend. Leaders of 50 countries, including President Andrzej Duda, are coming to Paris. Donald Trump also announced his presence.
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Main photo source: Reuters
