French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to stay in office until the end of his term in 2027 following the resignation of the country’s Prime Minister Michel Barnier.
It comes after politicians in France’s National Assembly passed a no-confidence motion in the government on Wednesday.
In an address to the nation on Thursday evening, Mr Macron also pledged to appoint a new prime minister within days, as he blamed his political opponents for the crisis and claimed they had chosen “disorder”.
The president claimed far-right and left-wing politicians had united in an “anti-Republican front” and added: “I won’t shoulder other people’s irresponsibility”.
Mr Barnier resigned following the no-confidence vote, becoming France’s shortest-serving prime minister in modern history.
It took place after Mr Barnier, formerly the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, used special powers to force a social security budget through the country’s lower house of parliament without a final vote.
Pressure has been mounting on Mr Macron to quit following criticism of his decision to call parliamentary elections in the summer that led to a hung parliament.
Despite defying calls to resign, he did acknowledge that the move had contributed to the political chaos.
He said: “I do recognise that this decision wasn’t understood. Many people criticised me for it. I know many continue to criticise me for it.”
However, Mr Macron said he “believed it was necessary” to let French voters make their views known.
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier at the National Assembly earlier this week. Pic: Reuters
Mr Barnier’s ousting marked the first time a French government has lost a confidence vote since 1962.
In a succinct resignation letter to the president, published by French media, he said: “Since the assembly has adopted a no-confidence motion, I have the honour of submitting the resignation of the government.
“Please accept, Mr President of the Republic, the assurance of my deepest respect.”
Mr Barnier and his government will stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new prime minister is nominated, the Elysee said in a statement.
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The French parliament was left in a fractured state by the summer elections, with the left-wing Popular Front alliance winning the most seats – 193 – but far from the 289 needed for a majority.
Infighting among the Popular Front, which consists of seven parties, led to them being unable to agree on a candidate for prime minister.
Mr Macron’s centrist Ensemble alliance, which came second in the election, built a loose coalition with right-wing politicians, in particular the Republicans, of which Mr Barnier was a member and who the far-right National Rally had said they could work with.
However, the Popular Front and National Rally came together to bring down Mr Barnier on Wednesday.
