France's Government Faces No-Confidence Vote from Far-Right and Leftist Parties

Dec 4, 2024, 12:14 PM

France is on the brink of political upheaval as both the far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, and the leftist Socialists have announced their intention to vote against Prime Minister Michel Barnier in an upcoming no-confidence vote. This rare alignment of political extremes could lead to the toppling of the French government, an event not seen since 1962. President Emmanuel Macron's parliamentary coalition is at risk, with the potential for the government to be brought down by this unlikely coalition. The political turmoil has also raised concerns about a potential short squeeze in French stocks, as the uncertainty surrounding the vote could impact market stability. President Macron has urged lawmakers to vote for Barnier in an attempt to maintain stability.