French Government Falls Amid Political Turmoil and No-Confidence Vote

The French government has collapsed after a no-confidence vote ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his cabinet, plunging the country into severe political and fiscal turmoil. This marks the first time in 60 years that France, Europe's second-largest economy, is without a functioning government. The crisis stems from efforts to reduce the national deficit, which led to unpopular fiscal measures and a fractured parliament. President Emmanuel Macron must now appoint a new prime minister to stabilize the situation and restart the budget process.