The likely collapse of France's government would exacerbate political instability and market pressures on the country, but a government shutdown or a financial crisis remains unlikely thanks to constitutional provisions that will allow the executive to continue making budgetary decisions. On Dec. 2, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier invoked Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass the 2025 Social Security financing bill (a key component of the government's budget proposal) without a vote in the National Assembly. While this constitutional clause allows the government to pass laws without the need for parliamentary approval, it also allows lawmakers to table a no-confidence motion, which, if passed by a simple majority, rejects the bill and forces the government's resignation. Opposition parties from both the left and right filed two separate no-confidence motions on Dec. 2, opening the way for a vote of no-confidence to take place as soon as Dec. 4. ...
