Le Pen Threatens to Topple French Government Over Cost-of-Living Concerns

PARIS – Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), issued a stern warning on Wednesday, threatening to bring down Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s fragile coalition government if her party’s concerns over the cost of living are not addressed in the upcoming 2025 budget.

Le Pen’s ultimatum comes amid legal challenges, with prosecutors seeking a five-year ban from public office over allegations of embezzling EU funds—a charge she denies. If convicted, she could be barred from running in the 2027 presidential election, which many consider a potential turning point in French politics. Some analysts speculate that her legal troubles could prompt a more aggressive push to destabilize the current government.

“We will not accept that the purchasing power of the French be once again hit. This is a red line and if this red line is crossed, we will vote no-confidence,” Le Pen declared in an interview on RTL radio.

As the parliament remains sharply divided, Barnier is considering the use of article 49.3 of the French constitution, a controversial move that would allow the government to pass the budget without a parliamentary vote, automatically triggering a no-confidence motion. Le Pen’s RN, along with left-wing factions, could use this as an opportunity to challenge the government.

Le Pen, whose party traditionally focuses on issues like immigration and security, has made the cost of living a key focus of her platform, especially as inflation continues to strain French households. She expressed opposition to any new taxes on households, entrepreneurs, or pensioners, arguing that these concerns are not sufficiently reflected in the government’s proposed budget.

In response to Le Pen’s threats, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned that any effort to topple the government would lead to chaos and destabilize the country’s ability to implement a budget. Le Pen also voiced support for a proposal from the far-left France Insoumise (LFI) party to abandon President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform, further complicating Barnier’s position.

To pass the budget and avoid a political crisis, Barnier will need to secure the RN’s cooperation or, at the very least, ensure their abstention in any no-confidence vote. However, RN lawmakers have indicated that their support hinges on whether the final budget meets their demands.