French Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government lost a confidence vote in the National Assembly, intensifying a political crisis and casting doubt on next year’s budget. The vote, supported by far-left and hard-right parties, followed Barnier’s use of special powers to pass budget measures without parliamentary approval. Barnier is expected to resign, and President Macron faces pressure, with calls for early elections. The crisis stems from unpopular austerity measures aimed at reducing France’s deficit, which currently exceeds EU limits. This marks the first no-confidence toppling of a French government in over 60 years.