French president Emmanuel Macron has said he will pick a new prime minister in the coming days as he addresses the nation having asking his ousted prime minister Michel Barnier and his government to stay on in caretaker capacity.
Mr Macron earlier hit out at those who ousted the prime minister as a “coalition of the irresponsible”, after Mr Barnier was toppled in a no-confidence vote on Wednesday night by French leftists and the far-right, who were greatly empowered in Mr Macron’s ill-judged summer election.
Mr Macron is speaking after holding talks with close ally Francois Bayrou – tipped as a contender to replace Mr Barnier – and the leaders of France’s two parliamentary chambers.
The no-confidence vote further weakens the standing of Mr Macron, who, despite facing growing calls to resign, has a mandate until 2027 and cannot be pushed out.
While it took Mr Macron nearly two months to appoint Mr Barnier, sources earlier told Reuters that he was seeking to replace him ahead of a Notre Dame reopening ceremony on Saturday.
Key Points
- Emmanuel Macron asks Michel Barnier to stay on as caretaker PM
- Barnier loses no-confidence vote in fresh crisis for Macron
- Macron to address French nation on Thursday evening
- Macron seeking to appoint new PM 'by Saturday’
- French president hits out at ‘coalition of the irresponsible’ after Barnier ousted
- Two thirds of voters want Macron to resign, snap poll suggests
This blog is now closed
Thursday 5 December 2024 22:33 , Tom WatlingThis blog is now closed.
You can read our coverage of French president Emmanuel Macron’s speech here.
French PM Michel Barnier loses no-confidence vote as government collapses in fresh crisis for Macron
Thursday 5 December 2024 09:14 , Tom BarnesMichel Barnier has become the shortest-serving French prime minister in modern history as opposition parties have ousted his government in a historic no-confidence vote – which hands president Emmanuel Macron a fresh political crisis.
Mr Barnier’s government is the first to be forced out by such a vote in more than 60 years, with the trigger being a clash over the country’s budget for next year. A majority of 331 voted in support of the motion to remove him; a minimum of 288 was needed.
Opposition parties tabled the motion after Mr Barnier controversially used special constitutional powers to force through a budget without a vote. The former Brexit negotiator was only appointed by Mr Macron in September.
French government collapses after historic no-confidence vote in crisis for Macron
Barnier seen heading to Elysee Palace
Thursday 5 December 2024 09:26 , Andy GregoryFrench prime minister Michel Barnier has been seen heading to the Elysee Palace this morning, where he is expected to hand in his resignation to president Emmanuel Macron.
French TV stations broadcast images of Mr Barnier's car heading over to the Elysee on a rainy Thursday morning in the French capital.
Following his move to force through a Budget including €60bn of tax rises and spending cuts, far-right and leftist parliamentarians voted to topple Mr Barnier’s government, plunging France into its second major political crisis in six months.
Emmanuel Macron faces calls to resign after Barnier ousted
Thursday 5 December 2024 09:34 , Andy GregoryThe ousting of Michel Barnier further weakens the standing of president Emmanuel Macron, who precipitated the ongoing crisis with an ill-fated decision to call a snap election in June.
Mr Macron, who faces growing calls to resign, has a mandate until 2027 and cannot be pushed out – yet he faces growing calls for his resignation.
“The main culprit for the current situation is Emmanuel Macron,” French far-right leader Marine Le Pen told TF1 TV late on Wednesday.
“The dissolution [of parliament in June] and censorship [of the government] are the consequence of his policies and of the considerable divide which exists today between him and the French.”
Watch live: French prime minister Michael Barnier arrives at Elysee to tender resignation
Thursday 5 December 2024 09:34 , Andy GregoryWatch live as French prime minister Michael Barnier arrives at the Elysee to tender his resignation:
Watch: French prime minister Michael Barnier arrives at Elysee to tender resignation
Two thirds of voters want Macron to resign, snap poll suggests
Thursday 5 December 2024 09:42 , Andy GregoryAn online poll of 1,000 voters carried out just after the no-confidence motion in Michel Barnier, showed 64 per cent of voters want Emmanuel Macron to resign as president.
While a small majority of voters approved in parliament ousting Mr Barnier, some 82 per cent were worried about its economic and political consequence, the Toluna Harris Interactive poll for broadcaster RTL showed.
Keir Starmer loses key European ally in setback for his plans to reset Brexit
Thursday 5 December 2024 09:45 , Andy GregoryKeir Starmer’s plan to reset the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the European Union has suffered a blow with the loss of a key ally, after Michel Barnier was ousted as French PM in a no-confidence motion.
It marks a setback for Sir Keir, who has worked with Mr Barnier since his time as the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator in the years after the UK voted to leave the bloc.
Sir Keir, then on Labour’s opposition frontbench, met Mr Barnier several times to discuss the possibility of a “bespoke” form of customs union as part of a Brexit deal.
Our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Keir Starmer loses key European ally in setback for his plans to reset Brexit
Macron to address French nation at 7pm
Thursday 5 December 2024 09:52 , Andy GregoryFrench president Emmanuel Macron will address the nation at 8pm local time this evening (7pm GMT) as he faces calls to resign following the ousting of prime minister Michel Barnier.
Mr Macron is expected to swiftly name a successor to Mr Barnier, who will face similar challenges in pushing legislation through a parliament heavily stacked with the French far-right and leftist MPs in the wake of the president’s ill-judged election gamble earlier this year.
Macron ‘wants to install new PM prior to Notre Dame ceremony on Saturday'
Thursday 5 December 2024 10:00Emmanuel Macron is aiming to rapidly to install a new prime minister, three sources have told Reuters.
One source told the news agency that the French president wanted to name a successor to Michel Barnier prior to the ceremony for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral on Saturday, which Donald Trump is due to attend.
But given he lacks a majority in parliament, Mr Macron’s opponents could shoot down one pick for prime minister after another, prolonging the political paraylsis.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen says a government reshuffle stands little chance of long-term success, while a dissolution of parliament is constitutionally not possible before July, leaving the only remaining option being for Mr Macron to step down.
However, the constitution gives extensive powers to the president in crisis situations. He can call referendums and has the ability to invoke emergency “full powers” under Article 16, drafted by the founders of the Fifth Republic with wartime in mind. The president has responded to demands to resign by pledging to fulfil his role “with all my energy, to the last second”.
Mr Macron’s surest path to naming a new prime minister able to form a government and pass a budget before the end of the year is to yield to the budget demands of National Rally. But Mr Macron will resist that.
Mr Barnier’s government can stay on in a caretaker capacity to handle day-to-day business while Mr Macron appoints a new prime minister and government.
What role did France’s left and far-right play in toppling Barnier as PM?
Thursday 5 December 2024 10:13 , Andy GregoryThe no-confidence motion in Michel Barnier’s premiership may have been triggered by his attempts to force a budget through a deeply fractured parliament without a vote – but the genesis of the crisis can be traced to Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call a snap summer election.
The president had sought to give his centrists a clear mandade from the French people –but his gamble backfired to leave no single party in control of parliament.
The leftist New Popular Front coation actually topped the July election, while Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally was the single party with the most votes, But Mr Macron’s centrists eventually struck a deal with the centre-right and conservatives to form a government and Mr Barnier was appointed as prime minister.
Usually at odds, the left-wing and the far-right have been united against Mr Barnier. The New Popular Front are angry that they, as the largest bloc, have not got a PM of their choosing, while National Rally have taken particular issue with the budget.
Mr Barnier’s draft budget had sought to cut the fiscal deficit, which is projected to exceed 6 per cent of national output this year, with €60bn (£50bn) in tax hikes and spending cuts. It sought to drag the deficit down to 5 per cent next year.
Ms Le Pen and her party had accused Mr Barnier of imposing austerity measures and failing to address citizens’ needs, and Mr Barnier’s push to force through the budget using special constitutional powers – without other parties getting to vote on it – proved to be the final straw.
Expressing a mixture of anger and shame over the no-confidence vote, French conservative politician Xavier Bertrand told BFM TV: “It’s as if the two extremes, France Unbowed and the National Rally, have become the centre of political life.”
Political uncertainty continues to unnerve markets
Thursday 5 December 2024 10:31 , Andy GregoryThe political uncertainty has already been unnerving investors in French sovereign bonds and stocks for weeks.
The risk premium investors demand to hold French debt rather than German Bunds stood close to its highest level in over 12 years on Thursday.
What does the no-confidence motion mean for the 2025 budget?
Thursday 5 December 2024 10:41 , Andy GregoryFrench president Emmanuel Macron’s surest path to naming a new prime minister able to form a government and pass a budget before the end of the year is to yield to the budget demands of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally.
Mr Barnier’s draft budget had sought to cut the fiscal deficit, which is projected to exceed 6 per cent of national output this year, with €60bn (£50bn) in tax hikes and spending cuts. It sought to drag the deficit down to 5 per cent next year.
Michel Barnier’s government can stay on in a caretaker capacity to handle day-to-day business while Mr Macron tries to chart a path out of the mess and appoint a new government. If parliament has not passed a budget by 20 December, the government can propose emergency legislation that would roll over spending limits and tax provisions from 2024, pending the installation of a new government and a new 2025 budget bill.
The proposed €60bn in tax increases and spending cuts, welcomed by investors and ratings agencies, would then fall by the wayside. Ms Le Pen’s party has said households would be better off in this scenario, something Mr Barnier’s government denies.
A government could invoke constitutional powers to pass the 2025 budget by executive order if parliament has not approved it by 20 December. However, that would be highly risky, jurists say, as it is unclear whether a caretaker government can use such powers. Doing so would inevitably trigger political turmoil.
Turmoil in France leaves uncertain political future in Europe’s two largest powers
Thursday 5 December 2024 11:04 , Andy GregoryThe political turmoil in France further weakens a European Union already reeling from the implosion of Germany’s coalition government, and comes just weeks before Donald Trump returns to the White House, brandishing the threat of trade tariffs.
German chancellor Olaf Scholz is now widely expected to lose the looming general election, which has been scheduled for early next year, and is also facing the prospect of an ascendant far-right assuming a larger place in Germany’s national politics.
The political shifts could have wider implications for the EU, with both countries holding the largest number of seats in the European Parliament at a time when far-right politicians have risen to prominence in Italy and Hungary, and are pressing for greater changes to the way the bloc operates.
Video report: Macron faces calls to resign after Barnier loses no confidence vote
Thursday 5 December 2024 11:19 , Andy GregoryBarnier leaves Elysee Palace after hour-long talk with Macron
Thursday 5 December 2024 11:37 , Andy GregoryMichel Barnier has left the Elysee Palace after meeting with Emmanuel Macron for more than an hour, French media reported.
Despite the PM being expected to hand in his resignation after losing last night’s no-confidence vote, there was still no official confirmation that he had resigned.
France now ‘back in same position as it was in July’, says expert
Thursday 5 December 2024 11:51 , Andy GregoryFrance is back in the same position it was in during the summer following the collapse of Michel Barnier’s government, an expert has said.
Professor Robert Ladrech, emeritus professor of European Politics at Keele University, said: “With the demise of the Barnier government, France is back where it was in July with the inconclusive results of the parliamentary elections.
“As President Macron has no intention of resigning before the end of his term, he again must select a prime minister who can muster a majority in the parliament.
“Having tried a centre-right politician, might he choose someone from the left who can cobble together a left-wing and centrist majority, as the left bloc had demanded in July. Le Pen and her party hope to influence Macron’s decision.
“In any case, a budget must be passed as soon as possible or else the financial situation will further degrade.”
Collapse of Barnier’s government is negative for France’s credit rating, Moody’s warns
Thursday 5 December 2024 12:10 , Andy GregoryMichel Barnier’s draft budget for 2025 had sought to cut France’s fiscal deficit – which is projected to exceed 6 per cent of national output this year – by ushering in €60bn (£50bn) in tax hikes and spending cuts to drag the deficit down to 5 per cent next year.
But the fall of France’s government leaves the country without a clear path towards reducing its fiscal deficit and the most likely outcome is less belt-tightening than previously planned, credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) said.
Rival ratings agency Moody’s has warned that the collapse of France's government is negative for its credit rating and adds to the risks of a bigger debt burden than it had previously anticipated.
‘France is weakened’ after Barnier ousting, analyst says
Thursday 5 December 2024 12:19 , Andy Gregory“France is weakened” and president Emmanuel Macron “is no longer in a position to guide the European Union as he did” following the ousting of Michel Barnier as prime minister, Eric Maurice of the European Policy Centre has told Agence France-Presse.
“This does not necessarily block the European Union, but France will be less in a position to influence decisions.”
Close Macron ally Bayrou expected for Elysee meeting, reports say
Thursday 5 December 2024 12:40 , Andy GregoryFrench politician Francois Bayrou, whose name is often cited as a possible successor to Michel Barnier, was expected to meet President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee palace later on Thursday, according to reports by Le Parisien and RTL radio.
Mr Bayrou is a veteran centrist politician and a close Macron ally who founded the Democratic Movement in 2007, and currently serves as mayor in the southwestern city of Pau.
Economic impact of French political turmoil seems limited and contained
Thursday 5 December 2024 12:59 , Andy GregoryThe economic impact of political turmoil in France on the rest of the European economy seems contained and rather limited, but the European Commission is monitoring it, a spokesperson has said.
“We follow very closely what is going on in France,” Commission spokesman Balazs Ujavri told reporters at a regular briefing. “What we see for now is that the economic effect is rather contained and limited. The macroeconomic situation in France remains stable.”
“We know that in the French constitution there are measures for scenarios in which we get to the end of the year and there is no budget,” Mr Ujvari said.
Macron hits out at ‘coalition of the irresponsible’ after Barnier ousted
Thursday 5 December 2024 13:19 , Andy GregoryFrench president Emmanuel Macron has hit out at what he described as a “coalition of the irresponsible” for the ousting of Michel Barnier by France’s leftists and far-right – who were empowered by his shock summer election.
Following the no-confidence vote, Mr Macron held a gathering of close friends in which he castigated France’s Socialist Party, a source close to the president told Le Parisien.
“The coalition of the irresponsible will have to assume its responsibilities before the French people,” Mr Macron is claimed to have said.
What is the difference between roles of president and prime minister?
Thursday 5 December 2024 13:40 , Andy GregoryWhile France’s prime minister Michel Barnier has been ousted in a no-confidence vote in France’s parliament, president Emmanuel Macron holds a mandate to remain president until 2027.
In France’s democracy, the president is voted in every five years and acts as the head of state. He has the power to appoint the prime minister, enact laws and is the head of France’s armed forces.
He can dissolve the French National Assembly and exercise emergency powers in the event of a major crisis.
The prime minister recommends the appointment of government ministers to the French president, and is accountable to parliament while his government attends to the day-to-day job of tabling and implementing legislation.
Macron ally urges him to be swift in appointing Barnier’s replacement
Thursday 5 December 2024 14:01 , Andy GregoryAllies in Emmanuel Macron’s own camp have joined the chorus of politicians urging swift action to replace Michel Barnier, whom it took the president nearly two months to appoint following July’s snap election.
“I recommend that he proceed quickly to the appointment of a prime minister, it’s important, we must not leave things up in the air,” National Assembly president Yael Braun-Pivet told France Inter radio prior to meeting Mr Macron at around midday.
Mr Macron, who is due to give a televised address to the nation at 8pm local time, will also meet the head of the Senate at 3pm, French media reported.
Marine Le Pen’s real target is Macron, potential Barnier replacement says
Thursday 5 December 2024 14:22 , Andy GregoryFollowing the ousting of Michel Barnier, opponents of France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen allege that it is truly president Emmanuel Macron whom she is seeking to topple by triggering an early election ahead of a March embezzlement trial that could see her barred from office for five years.
A conviction would stop her running in the 2027 presidential election – a contest many believe she could win.
“The target is Emmanuel Macron,” Xavier Bertrand, a potential Barnier replacement, told BFM TV. “She would like everything to speed up before her March verdict.”
Macron asks Barnier to stay on as caretaker
Thursday 5 December 2024 14:22 , Angus ThompsonFrench President Emmanuel Macron asked ousted prime minister Michel Barnier and his government to stay on in caretaker capacity until a new prime minister is nominated, the Elysee said in a statement.
The news comes after Mr Barnier handed in his resignation following an historic no-confidence vote in French parliament last night.
Video report: French PM Michel Barnier loses no-confidence vote as government collapses
Thursday 5 December 2024 14:40 , Andy GregoryCould Macron resign after Barnier loses no-confidence vote?
Thursday 5 December 2024 15:05 , Andy GregoryThe no-confidence vote has galvanised France’s opposition leaders, with some explicitly calling for Emmanuel Macron to resign.
“I believe that stability requires the departure of the President of the Republic,” Manuel Bompard, leader of the far-left France Unbowed party, told BFM TV on Wednesday night.
Far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen – whose party holds the most seats in the Assembly – stopped short of calling for Mr Macron’s resignation but warned that “the pressure on the President of the Republic will get stronger and stronger.”
While a snap a Toluna Harris Interactive poll of 1,000 people on Thursday night suggested two thirds of voters now want the president to step down, Mr Macron has dismissed such calls and ruled out new legislative elections, telling reporters earlier this week: “I was elected to serve until 2027, and I will fulfill that mandate.”
A French president cannot be pushed out unless two thirds of parliamentarians decide he has gravely failed to fulfil his role, according to a never-yet-invoked article of France’s constitution.
‘Lessons to be learnt’ from Macron’s turmoil, says UK Labour MP Diane Abbott
Thursday 5 December 2024 15:24 , Andy GregoryBritish Labour MP Diane Abbott has suggested there are “lessons to be learnt” from Emmanuel Macron’s political turmoil, in a potential message to Sir Keir Starmer as he seeks to “reset” his own premiership.
Writing on X, Ms Abbott said: “Macron built up the far right and attacked the left. He thought it would give voters nowhere else to go but him. He pursued austerity and copied Le Pen's anti-migrant rubbish.
“It has ended in disaster for him and chaos for France. Lessons to be learnt.”
Von der Leyen jets into Uruguay to finalise EU-Mercosur trade deal opposed by France
Thursday 5 December 2024 15:43 , Andy GregoryAs Emmanuel Macron confronts the need to form a new government for a third time this year, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen jetted into Uruguay looking to finalise a free trade deal between the EU and South American Mercosur bloc.
“The finish line of the EU-Mercosur agreement is in sight. Let’s work, let’s cross it. The largest trade and investment partnership the world has ever seen. Both regions will benefit,” Ms von der Leyen said in a post on X.
Mercosur will meet in Montevideo on Thursday amid signs the bloc of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay will use the event to announce an agreement on the trade deal – which would be the largest struck by the European Union in terms of tariffs reductions.
France has long opposed the accord and Mr Macron’s office reiterated its stance on Thursday, warning that the deal is unacceptable in its current form.
European farmers have repeatedly protested against the deal, complaining it will lead to cheap imports of South American commodities, notably beef, that is not subject to the same green and food safety standards as in the European Union.
However, other EU members such as Germany insist the EU-Mercosur deal is vital for the bloc as it looks to diversify its trade after the near-closure of the Russian market and discomfort about its reliance on China. They also see Mercosur as a potentially reliable source of critical minerals required for its green transition.
Macron seeking to reassure French public with address to nation, ally suggests
Thursday 5 December 2024 16:01 , Andy GregoryFollowing the no-confidence vote in Michel Barnier, French president Emmanuel Macron will use his address to the nation this evening to give “visibility” on what comes next by showing himself in his “institutional role as guarantor of the unity of the nation”, an ally has told Politico.
But he also wishes to denounce the “coalition of the irresponsible” who ousted Mr Barnier, the ally said, adding: “The president is determined that those who seek chaos will take responsibility for it.”
What does the latest political crisis mean for France and Macron?
Thursday 5 December 2024 16:23 , Tom Watling
What does France’s latest political crisis mean for Macron and the country?
Safran CEO says French crisis creates uncertainty, defence budget at risk
Thursday 5 December 2024 16:49 , Andy GregoryThe fall of the French government has created political and economic uncertainty that can sap investor confidence, the head of partially state-owned jet engine manufacturing giant Safran has said.
“Obviously it creates political and economic uncertainty, that’s clear. It’s a situation that investors – whether financial, economic or industrial – don’t like,” chief executive Olivier Andries told reporters, adding that a possible rollover of the 2024 budget into next year could harm the defence sector.
Safran, which is 11 per cent owned by the French government, is one of the world’s largest aerospace suppliers.
If France’s parliament has not passed a budget by 20 December, a caretaker administration could propose emergency legislation that would roll over spending limits from 2024, pending the installation of a new government and a new 2025 budget bill.
Suggesting that this was the most plausible scenario, Mr Andries said: “In defence, that will create pressure”, adding: “Beyond that, where the pressure will land and how the defence ministry will manage that, I can’t say ... The pressure is already there – we are feeling it.”
France’s government collapses in historic no-confidence vote
Thursday 5 December 2024 17:14 , Tom WatlingFrench government collapses after historic no-confidence vote in crisis for Macron
Barnier’s letter of resignation in full
Thursday 5 December 2024 17:46 , Tom WatlingBelow, we have a copy of Michel Barnier’s brief resignation letter to president Emmanuel Macron.
In it, he tells Mr Macron he has “the honor to submit to you the resignation of the Government”.
📝 « J’ai l’honneur de vous remettre la démission du Gouvernement »
— Arthur Bellier (@ArthurBllr) December 5, 2024
Voilà la (sobre) lettre de démission que @MichelBarnier a donnée ce matin à @EmmanuelMacron au lendemain de la censure. @RTLFrance pic.twitter.com/KfEFkYVK53
Who could Macron pick as France’s next prime minister to replace Barnier?
Thursday 5 December 2024 18:14 , Tom Watling
Who could Macron pick as France’s next prime minister to replace Barnier?
Macron begins address
Thursday 5 December 2024 19:02 , Tom WatlingEmmanuel Macron has begun his address to the nation.
Macron reacts to ousting of PM
Thursday 5 December 2024 19:06 , Tom WatlingFrench president Emmanuel Macron has accused the parliamentarians that voted out the PM he appointed of only thinking about their own hopes for the presidency.
Macron to appoint a PM in the coming days
Thursday 5 December 2024 19:07 , Tom WatlingEmmanuel Macron has said he will announce a new PM to take over from Michel Barnier “in the coming days”.
Macron finishes speech
Thursday 5 December 2024 19:12 , Tom WatlingEmmanuel Macron has finished his address to the nation.
Macron slams opposition for ousting Barnier
Thursday 5 December 2024 19:41 , Tom WatlingFrench president Emmanuel Macron has accused the far left and right parties who ousted PM Michel Barnier of choosing “disorder”.
They chose “not to do but to undo”, he said. The president said the far right and the far left had united in what he called “an anti-Republican front” and stressed: “I won’t shoulder other people’s irresponsibility.”
He said he’d name a new prime minister within days but gave no hints who that might be.
French interior minister calls for right-wing new PM
Thursday 5 December 2024 20:10 , Tom WatlingFrench interior minister Bruno Retailleau has called for the appointment of a new prime minister from the right to reflect what he says is the country’s political leaning.
In an interview with Le Figaro, the minister said he is “ready to continue and finish [his] work at Beauvau” if he has to stay there.
Barnier ousted: what does France’s latest political crisis mean for Macron and the country?
Thursday 5 December 2024 20:46 , Tom WatlingWhat does France’s latest political crisis mean for Macron and the country?
Macron hits out at ‘irresponsible’ opposition and ‘anti-Republican’ front after French PM Barnier ousted
Thursday 5 December 2024 21:35 , Tom Watling
Macron hits out at ‘anti-Republican’ front after French PM Barnier ousted
Macron says he will stay until the end of his mandate
Thursday 5 December 2024 22:14 , Tom WatlingFrench President Emmanuel Macron will appoint a new prime minister in the coming days whose top priority will be getting a 2025 budget adopted by parliament, he said on Thursday after the government was toppled by lawmakers.
In a televised address to the nation earlier this evening, Mr Macron said he would name a successor to Mr Barnier “in the coming days.”
“The priority will be the budget,” Mr Macron said.
A special law to roll over the 2024 budget and avoid any gap will be put forward by mid-December. Then the new government will prepare a full budget early next year, in particular to account for inflation, for a vote by parliament.
Le Pen hits back at Macron’s ‘anti-Republican’ comments
Thursday 5 December 2024 22:32 , Tom WatlingMarine Le Pen, the leader of one of two French parties that united to oust prime minister Michel Barnier, has hit back at comments by president Emmanuel Macron that the move was “anti-Republican”.
The leader of the far-right party National Rally wrote on X: “A little reminder to President Macron, who is supposed to be the guarantor of the Constitution: censorship is not anti-republican, it is provided for in the Constitution of our Fifth Republic.”
