Emmanuel Macron

In the search for a prime minister in France, Emanuel Macron following the result of the vote in the National Assembly that led to the fall of Michel Barnier’s government. The result marks the first time a French government has lost a confidence vote since 1962. The French president will deliver a speech tonight at 21:00 (local time).

A majority of members of the French National Assembly voted in favor of a motion of impeachment against the government of Michel Barnier, and Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce the name of a new prime minister.

After nearly three months in power, Barnier’s government collapsed with Marine Le Pen’s left-wing and far-right parties backing a motion of impeachment.

French lawmakers on Wednesday voted to oust the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier after just three months in office, a historic move which plunged the country further into political chaos.

France is in a political and economic whirlwind as debate is underway on motions of no-confidence tabled following the decision by French Prime Minister Michel Barnier to trigger the controversial Article 49.3 of the Constitution to approve the 2025 budget. The procedure, which allows bills to be approved without a parliamentary vote, has provoked strong opposition parties.

France's Prime Minister Michel Barnier receives makeup touch-ups prior to a televised interview broadcast on the evening news on French TV channels TF1 and France 2, at Hotel Matignon in Paris, on Dec. 3, 2024.

In December, the government is set to submit a new request—its fifth so far—to the Recovery Fund for a disbursement of €3.3 billion. This request is part of a €36 billion program, equivalent to roughly 20% of Greece’s GDP, making it proportionally the largest in Europe.

The historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was honored today, with French President Emanuel Macron and cameras entering the interior of the building for the first time to give citizens a glimpse of the work under reconstruction.

World leaders have welcomed a ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which came into force on Wednesday morning (0200 GMT)

Aleksandar Nikoloski, North Macedonia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, stated that the country's challenges in advancing EU accession talks stem not from major EU players like France but rather from what he described as "the weakest or second weakest EU country"—Bulgaria.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, facilitated by the United States and France, came into effect early this morning. The agreement, reached after months of intense conflict, was approved by the Israeli security cabinet and stipulates the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon within 60 days.