French Prime Minister Resigns Following Historic No-Confidence Vote.

Paris: French Prime Minister Michel Barnier submitted his resignation today to President Emmanuel Macron after the National Assembly (Parliament) voted to withdraw confidence from his government on Wednesday. President Macron is set to deliver a speech following the National Assembly's withdrawal of confidence in the government, further escalating the political crisis. The Elysee Palace later announced that the president has requested Barnier and his cabinet to remain in office in a caretaker role until a new prime minister is appointed. According to Qatar News Agency, French media reported that Macron had already begun meetings and consultations with various parties last week to select a potential candidate for the prime minister's role, in an effort to avoid a vacancy in the position. The urgency of these consultations indicates the gravity of the political situation facing the French government. The vote of no confidence in Barnier came after he failed to secure parliamentary support and resorted to pas sing a controversial social security law within the 2025 state budget without a parliamentary vote. This move was met with significant opposition, ultimately leading to the parliamentary action against Barnier's government. The French National Assembly approved, on Wednesday, a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government, proposed by the left-wing "New Popular Front" alliance. This marks a significant moment in French political history, as it is the first government to be forced out through a no-confidence vote since 1962. The situation underscores the current political instability and highlights the challenges ahead for President Macron in appointing a new prime minister.