France's government on brink of defeat in no-confidence vote

France is staring into the unknown as the minority government of the prime minister, Michel Barnier, faces near-certain defeat in a confidence vote that could dramatically intensify the political crisis in one of the European Union's key member states.

- Jon Henley

If the vote today is carried, Barnier's administration, which took office only in September, would be the first in France to be ousted with a motion of no confidence since 1962. Its fall, at the hands of far-right and leftwing parties, would be a significant blow to Europe weeks before Donald Trump returns to the White House.

The vote risked making "everything more difficult", a sombre Barnier told MPs yesterday, adding that France's situation was already "difficult in budgetary and financial terms" and "very difficult in economic and social terms".

In a television interview late last night, Barnier said there was "a lot of tension in France" and that he should remain in office for the country to regain political stability. He added: "The moment is serious, it is difficult, but the stakes are not impossible."