France's government collapsed on Wednesday after lawmakers from both left and right wings successfully passed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Michel Barnier, throwing the country into deeper political chaos. Barnier, who had served for just under three months, will now be required to resign and tender his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron. The collapse marks the shortest tenure of any Prime Minister in France's Fifth Republic.

The no-confidence motion was passed with 331 votes against Barnier, surpassing the 288 votes needed to oust him. This marks the first successful no-confidence vote since 1962. Barnier's government had faced significant opposition, with tensions rising over his attempts to push through a 2025 national budget without parliamentary approval. His actions angered both left-wing and far-right lawmakers, leading to the no-confidence motion.

In the wake of the collapse, President Macron must quickly appoint a new prime minister, though with the National Assembly divided, the task is not easy. Macron's options are limited as he cannot call new legislative elections until next year. Meanwhile, the country faces increasing instability, with unions calling for strikes and concerns over the budget and economic crisis. Macron has rejected calls for his resignation, but political turmoil continues to grow, and markets are showing signs of nervousness.

With the looming threat of further instability, France risks ending the year without a stable government or an approved 2025 budget. A caretaker government may step in temporarily, but it will face significant challenges in moving forward with critical legislation. France's political uncertainty also threatens to weaken its role in the European Union, adding to the broader crisis in European politics.