French PM meets with far-right leader Le Pen as govt wobbles under budget pressures

NEWS WIRES

25 November 2024 at 4:03 am·1-min read

Le Pen is putting Barnier's government in an increasingly precarious position.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier met with far-right National Rally (RN) leader Marine Le Pen on Monday in an effort to forge a deal allowing approval of the government’s budget. Opposition parties have denounced the budget and the RN could join forces with the left-wing bloc in parliament to topple the government in a confidence vote.

French far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen was on Monday holding talks with Prime Minister Michel Barnier as her party intensified warnings it was prepared to topple his government in a move that would fling France into political crisis.

Months of political tensions since right-winger Barnier became prime minister at the helm of a minority government appointed by President Emmanuel Macron in the wake of this summer's elections are coming to a head over the budget which has yet to be approved by parliament.

The opposition on all sides of the spectrum have denounced the budget, prompting Barnier to consider brandishing the weapon of article 49.3 of the constitution which allows a government to force through legislation without a vote in parliament.

(AFP)

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