French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been ousted by a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly, plunging the country into political turmoil.
The motion, led by the left-wing Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP), was supported by 331 of 577 deputies, ending Barnier’s three-month tenure—one of the shortest in French history.
The fallout raises concerns in New Caledonia, where post-conflict recovery from months of unrest depends heavily on Paris’s financial support.
“We need a functioning government to discuss New Caledonia’s future,” said Nicolas Metzdorf, a pro-France deputy.
Barnier’s government had promised aid, including €1 billion in loan guarantees, but the political crisis casts doubt on these pledges. Independence leader Emmanuel Tjibaou, who abstained from the vote, emphasized, “You can’t negotiate on an empty stomach.”
President Emmanuel Macron faces criticism for his handling of the crisis, with 63% of French voters now calling for his resignation.