France's government collapsed Wednesday after Prime Minister Michel Barnier was forced out in a no-confidence vote in Parliament, reigniting a summertime political crisis for the country as it prepares to face a new year.

President Macron due to address the nation as the minority government led by his hand-picked premier is toppled.

Already struggling with flat growth and a large debt and deficit, the country faces a new period of instability without a functioning government or a budget.

France is facing the prospect of the collapse of its government amid a row over how to tackle the country’s large budget deficit.

The government was sacked by parliament on December 4th. Its prime minister, Michel Barnier, had tried to force through his budget for 2025 two days earlier, but met the brutal reality of life without a majority and became the shortest-lived prime minister of the Fifth Republic.

Prime Minister Michel Barnier will most likely remain as a caretaker until a replacement is named. But the vote could further unsettle credit markets and create a wider opening for the far right.

President Emmanuel Macron said he thinks the French government can survive a no-confidence vote on Wednesday, when the far-right party of Marine Le Pen is expected to join forces with a left-wing coalition to topple the administration.

President Emmanuel Macron completed his state visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday as France's government faced being ousted in a no-confidence vote.The first French state visit to Saudi Arabia since 2006 came against the backdrop of a major political crisis that threatens to force out the minority government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier.