It is a political fable à la française, where the tragic hero is overthrown before even having the time to finish his speech on resilience. On December 4, 2024, Michel Barnier, Prime Minister of an already struggling government, was ousted by a historic vote of no confidence. 331 votes against him: a monumental slap, and a first since 1962. If it doesn’t bode well for democracy, it at least has the merit of waking up a Parliament often softer than a failed soufflé.
The 49.3: the remote control that makes the TV explode
It all started with the 49.3, this magical article of the Constitution that allows laws to be passed without asking anyone’s opinion. A sort of joker, but one that often ends up exploding in the face of the one who plays it. Michel Barnier, in a move that could be described as bold or blind, chose to use it for the Social Security budget. Bad pick: as soon as the announcement was made, it was as if oil had been thrown on an already hot barbecue.
On the left, Mathilde Panot, leader of La France Insoumise, stood up in the Chamber to denounce an "act of modern tyranny" (yes, just that). Marine Le Pen, on her side, sensed an opportunity bigger than a well-aged cheese and rallied her camp with the enthusiasm of a cheerleader in the finals. Together, these sworn enemies mounted a vote of no confidence. An improbable political marriage, but effective, like a pop duo no one expected.
Chaos in the Assembly: theater or wrestling match?
The session at the National Assembly could have passed for a boulevard play if it weren’t so tragic. The deputies, galvanized by the smell of political blood, engaged in verbal jousts of rarely reached violence. Veiled insults were heard, accusations of betrayal, and even dubious references to Barnier’s role in the Brexit negotiations, as if that had anything to do with it. At one point, a deputy shouted "parliamentary dictatorship!", which provoked general laughter – even the empty seats seemed amused.
The height of the ridiculous was probably reached when a right-wing elected official compared the use of 49.3 to "a white-collar coup." To which a socialist elected official replied: "And you, what would you have said in 1958?" If it weren’t so sad, tickets would have been sold to attend this circus.
The overthrow: an improbable coalition
The vote fell like a well-sharpened guillotine: 331 deputies, a motley mix of leftists, rightists, and centrists in existential crisis, voted against Barnier. Mathilde Panot savored her victory like a revolutionary in front of the Bastille. Marine Le Pen, always pragmatic, adopted a stateswoman posture – well, almost. And even Olivier Faure, who had probably forgotten he was still leading the Socialist Party, joined this alliance of circumstance.
As for Michel Barnier, he took the defeat with an elegance worthy of a candidate eliminated in the first round of a presidential election. "It’s democracy," he declared, looking as convinced as a child being told that spinach is good for health.
And now, Emmanuel?
Emmanuel Macron, watching all this from the Élysée, now has the heavy task of picking up the pieces. His options are as delightful as a sugar-free dessert.
Appoint a new Prime Minister, who might accept this poisoned position if promised a gift card.
Dissolve the National Assembly, with the risk of ending up with an even more hostile chamber. A sort of Russian roulette, but with six bullets.
Form a technocratic government, because nothing calms passions like people speaking with PowerPoint.
For now, Macron is doing what he does best: buying time. Rumor has it he called Barnier to say: "Well, it’s not that bad. You can write a book." Barnier reportedly replied: "Yes, but who will read it?"
Markets and moods that sway
The financial markets, those great nervous ones, reacted as usual: by panicking. France’s borrowing rates are rising, rating agencies are rolling out their worst scenarios, and BFM Business dedicated four hours to explaining why all this could cause the end of the world (spoiler: no).
And in the street? The French, for their part, oscillate between anger and indifference. "Another one bites the dust," summarized a retiree to a journalist’s microphone. "But well, that’s not going to pay my heating bill." The citizens, tired of political crises, watch this spectacle with the same interest as for yet another rerun of Camping: it’s entertaining, but a bit repetitive.
A crisis that hides another
This vote of no confidence mainly reveals the flaws of a parliamentary system where no one has a majority, but everyone has an opinion. Some call for institutional reform, others propose returning to the Fourth Republic, and a deputy even suggested "trying the monarchy." Why not?
For Emmanuel Macron, the message is clear: he must appease, reconcile, and above all… survive until 2027. Not easy when half of the political class dreams of your downfall and the other half doesn’t even know why it’s there.
Merry Christmas, Michel
Thus ends the "Barnier at Matignon" saga. A tragedy for some, a farce for others. Michel Barnier will probably spend the holidays surrounded by his family, wondering why he left his peaceful European duties for this great national circus.
As for the National Assembly, it will continue to play its favorite role: that of a theater where there is a lot of shouting, little listening, but where, in the end, everyone applauds. Because, as a political dinosaur would say: "This is France."
