The National Assembly came together to oust the prime minister, with all parties both left and right voting to oust him and his cabinet over a budget dispute.
“As this mission may soon come to an end, I can tell you that it will remain an honor for me to have served France and the French with dignity,” Barnier said before the vote in what he anticipated to be his final speech. “This no-confidence motion… will make everything more serious and more difficult. That’s what I’m sure of."
Barneir submitted his resignation to Macron, serving just 3 months in office since his appointment in September after he replaced Gabriel Attal, per the Washington Post. It marked the shortest tenure of any prime minister in France's modern history.
Macron then expressed his disdain over the no-confidence vote, stating "They chose disorder" and calling the ousting "an anti-Republican front," the Associated Press reports.
“I won’t shoulder other people’s irresponsibility," Macron said, also acknowledging his own responsibility in what he called the chaos effectively disbanding the lower house of parliament with no single party holding a majority.
The National Assembly accused Barnier of "imposing austerity measures and failing to address citizens’ needs." He will still serve as a caretaker, ensuring “the handling of current affairs until the appointment of a new Government,” the Élysée Palace said.
Macron said the new prime minister "will be charged with forming a government of general interest," adding "Public services will be operational, businesses will be able to work."
