[Anchor]
In France, where the government and opposition have been in conflict over the budget, the parliament has passed a vote of no confidence against the government.
This is the first time in 62 years.
With the resignation of the prime minister and all cabinet members, significant social unrest is unavoidable.
This is Lee Hwajin reporting from Paris.
[Report]
On the 4th local time, a vote of no confidence against the prime minister, proposed by the French opposition, was passed in parliament.
As a result, the prime minister and all cabinet members are to immediately resign, and the legislative proposals in preparation will be scrapped, leading to a ‘government collapse’.
This is the first time since the cabinet vote of no confidence passed during the era of President Charles de Gaulle, 62 years ago.
[Marine Le Pen/National Rally (RN) Parliamentary Leader: “Today’s vote of no confidence is essential for us to end the chaos and protect the French people from a dangerous, unfair, and punitive budget that worsens the deficit.”]
The biggest reason for the passing of this vote of no confidence was the government’s bypassing of parliament to pass the budget.
In an effort to reduce the fiscal deficit, the government proposed a reduction in public spending amounting to approximately 900 trillion won and tax increases, but faced opposition from the majority of the opposition due to reasons such as the reduction of social welfare.
In response, the prime minister invoked unilateral legislative power by the government, which does not require a parliamentary vote. The following day, a vote of no confidence against the government was submitted to parliament.
[Michel Barnier/French Prime Minister/ On the 2nd: “Based on Article 49.3 of the Constitution, I delegate the government’s responsibility for the entire 2025 social security budget resulting from the joint committee’s work.”]
However, local media view the budget conflict as only a superficial reason.
Following the major victory in the last general election, the leading opposition party demanded the prime minister’s position as per custom, but President Macron refused and appointed a prime minister from the ruling bloc, leading to ongoing conflicts over ignoring the people’s will.
The immediate issue before a government collapse is next year’s budget.
One likely scenario is for President Macron to appoint a new prime minister to submit a new government budget plan, but finding a successor for the prime ministerial position remains uncertain.
This is Lee Hwajin for KBS News in Paris.
Video Editing: Yang Eui-jung / Data Research: Kim Na-young
■ To report
▷ Phone: 02-781-1234, 4444
▷ Email: kbs1234@kbs.co.kr
▷ KakaoTalk: Search ‘KBS Report’, add the channel
▷ Subscribe to KBS News on Naver and YouTube!