Marine Le Pen's Party Threatens French Government Collapse

Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) has threatened to trigger a no-confidence vote to bring down Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government unless key budget concessions are made by 2pm today. RN President Jordan Bardella emphasized that the government's proposed budget is a 'budget of punishment' that undermines purchasing power, demanding inflation-linked pension increases and the scrapping of planned cuts to medication reimbursements. The political crisis is causing turmoil in financial markets, with French borrowing costs surpassing those of Greece for the first time. A no-confidence vote could occur as early as Wednesday, marking a historic moment as no French government has been ousted by such a measure since 1962. Barnier has made some concessions, including dropping a planned electricity tax increase, but the RN is still insisting on further changes. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon expressed concern over the situation's impact on France's economic stability and investment prospects.