French government risks falling in no-confidence vote

France's government faces no confidence votes that could spell the end of the short-lived administration of Prime Minister Michel Barnier, plunging the country into uncharted waters of political chaos.

The toppling of Mr Barnier's government after just three months in office would present French President Emmanuel Macron with an unenviable dilemma over how to go forwards and who to appoint in his place.

The National Assembly is due to debate two motions brought by the hard-left and far-right in a standoff with Mr Barnier over the budget, which saw the premier force through the social security budget without a vote.

The far-right National Rally (RN) of three-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen is expected to vote for the motion put forward by the left, giving it enough numbers to pass.

Asked on French television if there was a chance his government could survive today’s vote, Mr Barnier replied: "I want this and it is possible. It depends on the MPs...

"I think it is possible that there is this reflex of responsibility where - beyond political differences, divergences, the normal contradictions in a democracy - we tell ourselves that there is a higher interest."

However most analysts believe the government is doomed with the far-right teaming up with the left in an unholy alliance.

'Political fiction'

The turmoil follows snap elections called by Mr Macron in the summer which aimed, without success, to halt the march of the far right, and left no party or faction in parliament with a majority.

Mr Barnier took office with the far right under Ms Le Pen holding a sword of Damocles over its head, with the ability to topple the administration.

No new elections can be called for a year after the previous legislative polls, narrowing Mr Macron's options.

Some have even suggested the president could resign.

But the French president rejected calls to resign to break the political impasse, saying such a scenario amounted to "political fiction".

'Unbearable cynicism'

Mr Macron accused Ms Le Pen's RN of "unbearable cynicism" in backing the motion which threatens to topple the government of Mr Barnier.

"We must not scare people with these things, we have a strong economy," he added.

While most commentators predict that the left and far right will team up to bring down the government, Mr Macron appeared to hold out some hope saying he could "not believe" that the no-confidence motion would be passed against the government.

If the government falls, it would be the first successful no-confidence vote since a defeat for Georges Pompidou's government in 1962, when Charles de Gaulle was president.

The lifespan of Mr Barnier's government would also be the shortest of any administration of France's Fifth Republic which began in 1958.

Some observers have suggested that Ms Le Pen, 56, is playing a high-risk game and seeking to bring down Mr Macron before his term ends by ousting the prime minister.

Ms Le Pen is embroiled in a high-profile embezzlement trial. If found guilty in March, she could be blocked from participating in France's next presidential election, scheduled for 2027.