Michel Barnier

Emmanuel Macron appointed Michel Barnier Prime Minister following the 2024 snap legislative election, although the New Popular Front was the bloc with the most seats. The left immediately denounced a Prime Minister lacking political legitimacy from the ballot and announced plans to move a vote of no confidence.

State of the evidence

Documented

As Prime Minister, Michel Barnier adopted a very firm immigration stance, continuing his 2021 campaign positions, referring in particular to excessively porous borders while facing pressure from both his LR party and Rassemblement national.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility

Barnier's government proposed a fiscal adjustment announced at €60 billion for 2025, combining substantial savings and temporary tax increases. The High Council of Public Finances and several economists questioned certain calculation methods and the credibility of the planned trajectory.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility

As the budget vote approached, Michel Barnier made repeated concessions aimed at avoiding a no-confidence vote by Rassemblement national, notably on electricity taxation and other measures challenged by Marine Le Pen. The strategy fuelled criticism of the government's political dependence on RN.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility

On 2 December 2024, Michel Barnier invoked Article 49.3 to make his government responsible for the social security financing bill. The New Popular Front and Rassemblement national then voted for a no-confidence motion: 331 MPs brought down the government, the first such event under the Fifth Republic since 1962.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility

As a candidate in the right-wing primary, Michel Barnier proposed a three-to-five-year moratorium on immigration and a 'constitutional shield' which he said would allow France to regain control of immigration policy despite certain European and international constraints.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Directly implicated

Michel Barnier, president of the Savoie departmental council and co-chair of the Albertville Olympic organising committee alongside Jean-Claude Killy, had defended the objective that the Games should pay for themselves. The final deficit exceeded 280 million francs, with a substantial share borne by the state and Savoie.

State of the evidence

Documented