ISTANBUL

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Monday invoked Article 49.3 of the constitution to approve the contentious social security budget, avoiding a parliamentary vote that prompted opposition parties to threaten the government with a no-confidence motion.

The French lower house, known as the National Assembly, was scheduled to vote on the budget's final version on Monday. As the government sensed lacking a majority vote, Barnier used his discretionary powers to get it approved by invoking the contentious Article 49.3 of the constitution, which allows the government to pass a law without parliamentary approval if it survives a subsequent no-confidence vote.

Debate in the National Assembly was subsequently suspended.

Earlier, the far-right National Rally (RN) announced that it would work with the left-wing New Popular Front to file a motion of no confidence.

RN leader Jordan Bardella emphasized that “unless a last-minute miracle occurs,” the two blocs will combine their votes.

If successful, the motion would be the first time a French government has fallen due to a no-confidence vote since Georges Pompidou's administration in 1962. This would make the Barnier government the shortest in the Fifth Republic's history.

The social security budget, crucial for funding health care, pensions, and welfare, has been at the center of heated debate in the National Assembly.