President Emmanuel Macron is expected to address the political situation in a televised speech this evening.
French media described the government's fall as a leap into the unknown, marking a new chapter in the political and financial crisis that gripped the country following snap elections called by Macron in July.
The French left is demanding either the president's resignation or the appointment of a leftist prime minister, while the right argues that the deadlock will persist until the next parliamentary elections, which cannot occur before the summer, according to Polish Radio’s IAR news agency.
Macron has ruled out resignation and promises a swift nomination of a new prime minister. Two names have emerged in media speculation: current Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu and François Bayrou, leader of the centrist Modem party. Reports suggest the Élysée aims to appoint the new premier before the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris this weekend.
Impact on support for Ukraine
The government's collapse due to Wednesday's vote of no confidence complicates France's pledged increase in support for Ukraine, Reuters reported, citing recent statements by Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
France concluded training around 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers in November and supplied ammunition using funds from frozen Russian assets. Plans were also underway to deliver Mirage fighter jets to Ukraine in the first quarter of 2025.
However, in October, Lecornu acknowledged that aid to Kyiv in 2024 would not reach the maximum amount stipulated in the bilateral agreement of EUR 3 billion but would exceed EUR 2 billion.
In an interview with "Le Parisien" in early December, Lecornu confirmed that the fall of Barnier's government would affect support for Ukraine. "A significant part of the support involves transferring old equipment from the French army, which is being replaced with new gear. If we slow down orders for new equipment, our deliveries to Ukraine will also slow down," he said.
(jh)
Source: IAR, Reuters