PARIS, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government, following its ouster by a parliamentary vote of no confidence on Wednesday.

 

Pending the formation of a new government, Macron has tasked Barnier with leading a caretaker administration to manage current affairs, the Elysee Palace announced in a press release.

 

The French National Assembly voted on Wednesday evening in favor of the no-confidence motion, compelling Barnier to resign and causing the government to collapse.

 

On Thursday morning, Barnier met with Macron to formally submit his resignation.

 

This marks a significant political crisis for France, as Barnier's government becomes the first to fall to a no-confidence vote since 1962. The government's collapse adds urgency to the task of approving the 2025 national budget, with less than a month remaining to meet the deadline.

 

Macron's appointment of Barnier as prime minister in June 2024, following the dissolution of the National Assembly after his party's defeat in the European Parliament elections, had been controversial. Left-wing parties criticized the move, arguing it was inconsistent with the results of the legislative elections, which favored the National Front for Progress (NFP).

 

Born in 1951, Barnier has had a long political career. He became France's youngest deputy in 1978, later served as president of the departmental council of Savoie, and was instrumental in bringing the 1992 Winter Olympic Games to Albertville.