GB News’s Martin Daubney has taken aim at former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as the French Prime Minister faces a crucial no-confidence vote.
“My old sparring partner Michel Barnier looks set to face a no-confidence vote,” Daubney declared on GB News.
The presenter mockingly commented that Barnier’s budget “went down like a cup of cold snails” in France.
“I take no confidence at all in seeing Michel Barnier squirming. None at all. Honest governor,” Daubney added sarcastically.
Martin Daubney took a swipe at Michel Barnier
GB NEWS
The former Brexit Party MEP noted that Barnier had used executive powers to force through his controversial budget.
Barnier’s government faces collapse after using article 49.3 of the French constitution to push through a social security budget bill without a vote.
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The former chief Brexit negotiator gained notoriety among Britain’s top political brass as a result of his aggressive style in talks which irked many UK officials.
The controversial bill aims to tackle France’s growing public deficit through £50bn in tax increases and spending cuts.
A last-minute concession failed to win support from the far-right National Rally party, whose backing has been crucial for Barnier’s minority government.
No French government has been forced out by a no-confidence vote since 1962.
French journalist David Chazan joined Martin Daubney on GB News to discuss the developments in France
GB NEWS
The prime minister urged MPs not to back the motion, telling parliament: “The French expect stability and visibility.”
Both the far-right National Rally and an alliance of left-wing parties have tabled no-confidence motions against Barnier’s government.
Marine Le Pen, leader of National Rally, declared: “The French have had enough. Maybe they thought with Michel Barnier things would get better, but they were even worse.”
Her party will not only table its own motion but also support similar bills from other parties.
Mathilde Panot of the far-left France Unbowed said: “Faced with this umpteenth denial of democracy, we will censure the government…We are living in political chaos because of Michel Barnier’s government.”
Should all National Rally lawmakers vote with the left, Barnier’s government will not survive.
Since September, Barnier’s minority government has relied on National Rally support to survive, despite a left-wing alliance winning July’s snap election.
President Emmanuel Macron’s centrists eventually formed a government with centre-right and conservatives, with Barnier at the helm.
If Barnier loses Wednesday’s vote, he will remain in place until Macron announces a new government.
Given the divided parliament, a new coalition may face similar challenges.
Macron could opt to appoint a technocratic government to lead France until new elections in summer 2025.
The president himself will stay in office until 2027, though he cannot run again due to term limits.
