The motion passed by 331 votes in the National Assembly that forced former Prime Minister Michel Barnier to step down after just three months in office was the shortest tenure of any prime minister in modern French history.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday pledged to stay in office until his term ends in 2027 and assured that he will announce the name of a new prime minister in the next few days following the resignation of ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier after a historic no-confidence motion.
The motion passed by 331 votes in the National Assembly that forced Barnier to step down after just three months in office was the shortest tenure of any prime minister in modern French history.
Macron blamed his opponents on the far right for bringing down Barnier's government. Meanwhile, the no-confidence vote led to opposition leaders to explicitly call for Macron's resignation.
However, the French constitution does not call for a president to resign after in case his government is ousted by the National Assembly.
Macron now faces the critical task of naming a replacement capable of leading a minority government in a parliament where no party holds a majority. The process may prove challenging. Macron took more than two months to appoint Barnier after his party's defeat in June's legislative elections, raising concerns about potential delays this time.
French President Emmanuel Macron in a 10-minute address to the nation on Thursday assured that he would stay in power until his term ended in 2027.
Macron also promised the citizens of naming a new Prime Minister in the next few days but gave no hints who that might be.
Macron in his address, blamed the far right of bringing down former PM Michel Barnier's government saying that "they chose disorder". Not just blaming the far right, he also accused them of uniting with the far left in the country as "an anti-Republican front".
While he criticised his political opponents, Macron also acknowledged his own “responsibility” in the chaos now shaking French politics and alarming financial markets.
He revisited his June decision to dissolve parliament, which he accepted might have precipitated the crisis. This led to new legislative elections that produced the now hung parliament, divided between three minority blocs that don't have enough seats to govern alone. He said, "I do recognize that this decision wasn't understood. Many people criticized me for it. I know many continue to criticize me for it". However, he argued, “I believe it was necessary” to let French voters speak.
Earlier in the day, Macron “took note” of Barnier's resignation, the Elysee presidential palace said. Barnier and other ministers will be “in charge of current affairs until the appointment of a new government,” the statement said.
The new prime minister “will be charged with forming a government of general interest representing all the political forces … that commit not to vote a no-confidence motion,” Macron said.
Macron declared that his priority will be to pass a budget law for 2025.
Macron criticized lawmakers for toppling Barnier's government, accusing them of prioritizing personal political ambitions over the people's needs, emphasizing that their actions, timed just before the holidays, were driven by a desire to provoke and prepare for the upcoming presidential election, and Macron said he'd see out the 30 months still left in his second and last term as president.
The political instability has increased concerns about France's economy, particularly its debt, which could rise to 7% of GDP next year without significant reforms. Analysts say that Barnier's government downfall could push up French interest rates, digging the debt even further.
Another speech by President Macron is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time on Friday to address these economic challenges while setting a course for the future government.