French Prime Minister Barnier Resigns After No-Confidence Vote

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier will submit his resignation on December 5, following a historic no-confidence vote that removed his government just three months after taking office, marking the shortest tenure in modern French history. The vote, supported by the far-right National Rally and left-wing alliances, was a response to Barnier's controversial austerity budget proposals, which included bypassing parliamentary votes. A total of 331 lawmakers backed the no-confidence motion, necessitating Barnier's resignation under constitutional obligations. President Emmanuel Macron is expected to address the nation on the evening of the resignation, amidst calls from political opponents for him to resign or expedite the presidential election timeline. Macron faces the challenge of selecting a new prime minister while navigating a fragmented parliament. The political crisis arises from a government unable to secure a majority post-snap elections earlier this year.