Emmanuel Macron pledges to appoint a new French Prime Minister in the coming days
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would appoint a new prime minister “in the coming days” following Michel Barnier’s resignation after a no-confidence vote in parliament.
In a 10-minute speech to the nation on Thursday, Macron rejected calls for his resignation, affirming that he would remain in office “fully, until the end of the mandate” in 2027. He expressed gratitude for Barnier’s dedication during his short tenure and accused the far-right and hard-left factions of forming an “anti-republican front” to overthrow the government.
On Wednesday, the French National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to remove Barnier, just three months after his appointment by Macron. This marked the first time in over 60 years that a French government had been ousted by parliament, an “unprecedented” move, according to Macron.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), responded on social media, reminding Macron that censure was not anti-republican but is actually provided for in the Constitution. The no-confidence motion, which garnered 331 votes in favor, was tabled by the New Popular Front (NFP) left-wing alliance and RN, following Barnier’s use of special powers to pass his budget without a parliamentary vote.
Barnier resigned on Thursday, and the budget was automatically withdrawn. He will continue as a caretaker prime minister until a new government is appointed, while Macron’s position remains unchanged.
Macron has faced significant criticism for calling snap elections in July, which led to a parliamentary deadlock and a growing political crisis. He acknowledged that the decision “was not understood” and accepted responsibility for the resulting backlash.
Speaking directly to voters, Macron suggested that some political opponents prioritized “chaos over responsibility,” focusing more on future presidential elections than the needs of the electorate.
While Macron did not reveal who the new prime minister would be, speculation points to possible candidates such as Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, and centrist former presidential candidate François Bayrou. However, finding a candidate who can secure broad support within the fractured parliament may prove challenging, as seen when Gabriel Attal served as caretaker prime minister for two months after the July elections.
It remains uncertain whether a new government will be in place before Saturday, when world leaders, including US President-elect Donald Trump, are expected to attend the opening of the rebuilt Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The cathedral, devastated by fire in April 2019, has been praised for its rapid reconstruction.
Macron emphasized that the rebuilding of Notre-Dame and France’s successful hosting of the 2024 Olympics are examples of the country’s ability to achieve “great things” and “do the impossible,” earning global admiration.