French Political Crisis : Collapse of  govt
Context : French Prime Minister Michel Barnier resigned after his government was toppled by a no-confidence vote, supported by far-right and leftist lawmakers. This vote marked the first time in over 60 years that a French government fell through a no-confidence motion, occurring just three months into Barnier's tenure. This makes him the shortest-serving Prime Minister in modern French history.

Current Scenario:
While the government will function in a caretaker capacity until a new one is appointed, President Emmanuel Macron is expected to address the nation regarding this political crisis.

Governance and Electoral System in France

System of Governance:
France operates under a semi-presidential system established by the Fifth Republic in 1958.

• Combines elements of parliamentary and presidential systems.
• Both the President and Prime Minister hold executive powers, with the President focusing on foreign policy and strategic decisions, while the Prime Minister oversees domestic affairs.

Parliamentary Structure:
The French Parliament is bicameral:

1. National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale):
   • Lower house with 577 deputies elected for five years through a two-round majority voting system.
2. Senate (Sénat):
   • Upper house indirectly elected by an electoral college, mainly representing local authorities.

Role of the President:

• Head of state with significant powers, including:
  • Appointing the Prime Minister.
  • Presiding over the Council of Ministers.
  • Commanding the armed forces.
  • Dissolving the National Assembly.
  • Calling referenda or invoking emergency powers under Article 16 of the Constitution.

Role of the Prime Minister:

• Head of government responsible for implementing laws, managing domestic policies, and coordinating ministerial work.
• Accountable to the National Assembly and can be removed through a vote of no-confidence.

Election of the President:

• Directly elected by citizens for a five-year term using a two-round voting system.
• Requires an absolute majority to win in the first round, with a runoff held if needed.

Appointment of the Prime Minister:

• The President appoints the Prime Minister without requiring the National Assembly's approval.
• The appointee is typically someone capable of commanding a majority in the Assembly to maintain legislative stability.

Background of the Current Political Crisis

Political Instability:

• President Macron dissolved Parliament in June after centrist forces were defeated in the European Parliament elections.
• Early elections resulted in a fragmented Parliament with no clear majority, forming three blocs: left, centre, and far-right.
• Despite being the largest bloc, the left-wing coalition (NFP) was denied the right to form a government. Macron appointed Barnier as Prime Minister, creating a “cohabitation” situation where the President and Prime Minister belong to different parties.

Barnier's Challenges:

• Barnier sought support from far-right lawmakers by focusing on crime, security, immigration, and economic relief. However, his efforts failed to secure lasting backing.
• A controversial austerity budget aimed at cutting €60 billion through spending cuts and tax hikes to reduce the deficit sparked a backlash.
• Barnier invoked Article 49.3 of the Constitution to bypass parliamentary approval, triggering the no-confidence motion.

Consequences for France and Beyond

Political Uncertainty:

• France faces deep political instability, with concerns about ending the year without a stable government or an approved 2025 budget.
• Investor confidence has been shaken, temporarily increasing France’s borrowing costs above those of Greece.

Emergency Budget Provisions:

• The French Constitution allows a caretaker government to pass emergency laws, extending the previous year’s budget to prevent a shutdown and ensure public sector workers are paid.

Impact on the European Union:

• The political crisis in France adds to the EU’s challenges, including Germany’s coalition government collapse and concerns over maintaining unity amid the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the White House.