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France's government likely to fall in 'no confidence' vote

After using a decree to push through parliament a social security budget bill without a vote by MPs, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his minority government now face a vote of no-confidence on Wednesday which, supported by the far-right and radical-left, is most likely to succeed. 

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier faces a vote of no confidence in his minority government after using special powers to push through a social security budget bill without a vote by MPs, reports BBC News.

The government is unlikely to survive the vote, which was triggered this afternoon by the radical-left France Unbowed (LFI) opposition party and Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN).

It is likely to take place on Wednesday.

Despite last-minute concessions, Barnier clearly did not think he would be able to get his budget bill over the line.

The New Popular Front, an alliance of several left-wing parties, came out top against Macron's supporters and the far right following early elections in July.

The alliance was left furious by Macron's decision to veer to the centre right by picking Barnier as his new prime minister, and promised to vote against the government.

This has meant that Barnier has until now had to rely on the RN for his government's survival.

The budget bill sought to rein in France's spiralling deficit through €60bn (£49bn) in tax rises and spending cuts.

Because he lacked a majority, Barnier was forced to make concessions to critics.

These included scrapping a previously planned hike in electricity tax, as well as plans for a less generous prescription drug reimbursement policy from next year.

But the new version of the social security budget remained unacceptable to the opposition.

Read more of this report from BBC News.