French Prime Minister Michel Barnier Ousted After Parliament’s No-Confidence Vote

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been ousted following a vote of no confidence in parliament.

On Wednesday night, members of parliament overwhelmingly supported the motion against Barnier, with 331 votes in favor out of a total of 577.

This marks the first time since 1962 that France’s government has collapsed due to a no-confidence vote, making Barnier the shortest-serving prime minister in French history.

Barnie’s leadership was called into question after “he used special powers to push through his budget without a vote.”

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, and Éric Coquerel from the radical left criticized Prime Minister Barnier for not addressing their concerns over the budget.

Barnier’s removal comes just three months after he was appointed as prime minister in September by President Emmanuel Macron. Macron had tasked him with forming a government aimed at uniting the country and serving the French people.