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French parliament set to eject PM in blow to Macron

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 13:27 GMT by KTBS
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French Parliament Set to Eject Prime Minister in Blow to Emmanuel Macron

In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through French politics, the National Assembly is poised to vote on a motion of no confidence that could oust Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. The move represents a serious blow to President Emmanuel Macron’s governing coalition and signals a period of political turbulence as the country grapples with a wave of protests and a deeply divided parliament.

1. The Road to a No‑Confidence Vote

The French government’s vulnerability began to surface in early 2024, when a wave of nationwide protests erupted over proposed pension‑reform changes. The reforms, aimed at raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 and tightening eligibility for early pension, struck a chord with many citizens who saw them as a threat to social security and workers’ rights. The demonstrations drew tens of thousands to the streets of Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and dozens of other cities, and the protests quickly turned into a broader critique of Macron’s “elite‑centric” politics.

Against this backdrop, opposition parties—most notably the left‑leaning New Ecologic and Social People's Union (NUPES) led by Jean‑Léonard Ndiaye, the far‑right National Rally (Rassemblement national) headed by Marine Le Pen, and the center‑right Les Républicains—coalesced around a motion of no confidence. The motion’s text, drafted by NUPES, explicitly cited Borne’s failure to quell the unrest and the perceived erosion of public trust in the government.

The National Assembly’s speaker, Patrick Vallée‑Félix, announced that a debate and vote on the motion would take place on Thursday, 20 June. The vote is slated to last 30 minutes, a procedural standard for no‑confidence motions, and the outcome will be decided by a simple majority of the 577 deputies.

2. What a Motion of No Confidence Means

In France’s semi‑presidential system, a motion of no confidence in the government can only be introduced by a minimum of 25 deputies. If passed, the government must resign. The President can then either appoint a new prime minister who has the confidence of the Assembly or dissolve the Assembly and call for new elections. Macron’s party, Renaissance (formerly La République En Marche), holds 280 seats, giving the opposition an advantage if they unite behind the motion.

Borne, who was appointed prime minister on 20 May 2022, has been a polarizing figure. Her government has struggled to maintain unity within the ruling coalition, with many senior members—such as Finance Minister Bruno Le Guerre—expressing doubts about her leadership. Despite being credited with implementing the “pension reform,” Borne’s handling of the subsequent protests has been criticized for being slow and inadequate, thereby exposing cracks in Macron’s governance.

3. The Stakes for Macron and the Broader Political Landscape

For Emmanuel Macron, the stakes are high. In a period where his approval rating has fallen below 30 % and his party has lost seats in the 2022 parliamentary election, losing Borne would further destabilize his position. A successful no‑confidence vote could force a political crisis that might trigger early parliamentary elections or compel Macron to appoint a new prime minister—potentially someone with less political baggage, such as his former chief of staff, Christophe Jacq.

In addition to the immediate risk, Macron faces a strategic dilemma. A new prime minister could provide an opportunity to reset the government’s image, but it could also open the door for the opposition to capitalize on a perception of weakness. The possibility of early elections—though unlikely at present—remains a looming threat, as a new parliament could tilt the balance of power in favor of the opposition.

4. Opposition Strategy and the Unity Behind the Motion

The opposition’s unity around the motion is a rare phenomenon in contemporary French politics. NUPES, which had previously split with the left‑wing Socialist Party, has managed to hold together a coalition that includes the Communist Party, La France Insoumise, and the Greens. This solidarity is essential, as the motion requires a majority of the deputies, which the opposition holds in the Assembly after the 2022 election.

Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, meanwhile, has pledged to take the reins of government if the motion passes, arguing that it could bring more decisive governance to the country. The party’s platform—characterized by anti‑immigration stances and a Euroskeptic stance—has resonated with a segment of the French electorate disillusioned by Macron’s policies. However, the National Rally’s willingness to work with other opposition parties raises questions about its willingness to compromise on its hardline positions.

5. Potential Consequences and Future Outlook

Should the motion of no confidence succeed, the immediate consequence will be Borne’s resignation and the need for a new prime minister. The new government would face the daunting task of re‑gaining public trust while addressing the root causes of the protests. Macron could choose to nominate a fresh face—perhaps someone with a strong record in public service or economic policy—to signal a break from the current approach.

In the longer term, a change in government could alter France’s relationship with the European Union, especially concerning fiscal policy and social reforms. The opposition’s potential entry into power would bring a shift toward a more nationalist and less pro‑EU stance, which could have ramifications for France’s role in the EU and its commitments to the Eurozone.

The motion also underscores the fragility of the French semi‑presidential system. While the President has significant powers, the Parliament’s authority to challenge and potentially dismiss a government remains a powerful check, especially in a climate where public discontent is high and opposition parties are willing to collaborate across ideological lines.

6. Conclusion

The National Assembly’s upcoming vote on a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne is a watershed moment for French politics. It reflects growing public frustration over social reforms, illustrates the fragmentation within Macron’s coalition, and showcases the opposition’s willingness to form strategic alliances. Whatever the outcome, the event signals a potential turning point in France’s political trajectory, and the ramifications will ripple across the nation’s governance, its relationship with the European Union, and the broader socio‑economic landscape. As the vote approaches, all eyes will be on the deputies as they decide whether to usher in a new era of leadership—or to allow Macron’s presidency to endure in a re‑configured government.