Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, confidently forecasted the downfall of Michel Barnier’s government during an appearance on France 3 this Sunday, pinpointing the collapse to occur between December 15 and 21.
Melenchon didn’t choose those dates randomly. The period aligns with the expiration of the constitutional 70-day limit for lawmakers to finalize the 2025 finance bill. As tensions mount over unresolved disagreements between parliamentary groups, the government is likely to invoke Article 49.3 to force the budget through without a vote—an action Melenchon strongly opposes.
Criticizing Barnier for allowing the debate to stall while leaning on Article 49.3 as a fallback, Melenchon warned that such a move could trigger a motion of no confidence. “The government of Michel Barnier will fall between 15 and 21 December,” he asserted, predicting the fallout.
Melenchon didn’t stop there. He framed Barnier’s potential collapse as a step closer to unseating President Emmanuel Macron. Referencing Macron’s contentious use of executive powers, Melenchon called for his removal. “We have the duty to demand the removal of Emmanuel Macron, after denouncing his anti-democratic coup de force,” the former presidential candidate declared, hinting that impeachment remains on the table for La France Insoumise.
With December fast approaching, all eyes are on Parliament and the government’s next steps, as the possibility of political upheaval looms.
