What's happened
French parliament rejected two no-confidence motions over the EU-Mercosur trade deal, which was approved despite protests. The motions, led by far-right RN and hard-left LFI, failed to pass, as key parties abstained. The government plans to proceed with the 2026 budget amid ongoing political instability.
What's behind the headline?
The failure of the no-confidence motions highlights the deep political divisions in France over economic policy and international trade. The opposition parties, RN and LFI, aimed to challenge the government’s stance on the EU-Mercosur deal, which has sparked protests from farmers. The government’s move to push through the 2026 budget using Article 49.3 indicates a strategic effort to avoid further parliamentary deadlock, but risks escalating political tensions. This episode underscores the fragility of France’s political landscape, where economic decisions are intertwined with national sovereignty and domestic protests. The outcome suggests that despite opposition, the government will continue its current trajectory, but political instability will persist, complicating future policymaking.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports that the no-confidence motions, filed by RN and LFI, failed to pass with only 256 and 142 votes respectively, falling short of the required majority. France 24 confirms the same, noting that 288 votes were needed for success and that the motions were backed by opposition parties protesting the EU-Mercosur deal. Reuters adds that the motions were part of broader opposition to the trade agreement, which French farmers have protested for months. All sources agree that the government plans to proceed with the budget, with Lecornu indicating the possible use of Article 49.3 to bypass parliamentary deadlock, highlighting ongoing political tensions.
How we got here
France's rejection of the no-confidence motions follows the EU's approval of a trade agreement with Mercosur countries, including Argentina and Brazil. French farmers oppose the deal, fearing unfair competition. The motions were driven by opposition parties criticizing the government’s handling of the deal and its broader economic policies. Political instability has increased since Macron's 2024 election resulted in a hung parliament, leading to multiple government collapses and ongoing budget disputes.
Go deeper
Common question
-
Why Did the French No-Confidence Votes Fail?
Recent political turmoil in France has raised many questions, especially about the failure of no-confidence votes in the parliament. Despite protests against the EU-Mercosur trade deal, these motions did not pass, allowing the government to move forward with its plans. But what does this mean for France and global trade? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this political event and its wider implications.
-
Why Did the French No-Confidence Votes Fail?
Recently, French parliament rejected two no-confidence motions related to the EU-Mercosur trade deal, despite protests and opposition from various parties. This raises questions about the stability of France's government and what the future holds for its political landscape. Below, we explore why these votes failed, what they mean for France, and how European trade policies are influencing domestic politics.
More on these topics
-
The Southern Common Market (commonly known by abbreviation Mercosur in Spanish and Mercosul in Portuguese) is a South American trade bloc established by the Treaty of Asunción in 1991 and Protocol of Ouro Preto in 1994. Its full members are Argentina...
-
France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
-
The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.