French Government Ousted After No-Confidence Vote

In a historic political shift, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been ousted following a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly, marking the first such motion to pass since 1962. The vote, which saw 331 members of parliament supporting the motion against Barnier, was driven by disputes over the national budget and showcased a rare alliance between far-left and far-right lawmakers. Barnier, who served for only three months, becomes the shortest-serving Prime Minister in France's history, and his removal deepens the ongoing political crisis in the country. President Emmanuel Macron now faces the challenge of appointing a new prime minister amidst a hung parliament, where the far-right holds significant influence. This political upheaval comes as France braces for potential public-sector strikes due to proposed austerity measures. Macron has faced calls for his resignation, although he has dismissed such claims as 'political fiction.'