No-confidence vote draws France into new political crisis 

PARIS, Dec 3: France headed into a new political crisis Tuesday as opposition lawmakers threatened to topple the minority government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier in a no-confidence vote after just three months in office.

A standoff over an austerity budget, which has caused jitters on financial markets, follows permanent tension since the 73-year-old was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron in September.

The far-left France Unbowed (LFI) opposition party said it would bring a no-confidence motion after Barnier, under pressure to implement cost-cutting measures, used executive powers Monday to force through social security legislation without a vote.
Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN), which has demanded changes in the 2025 budget, said it would back the move.    —AFP