French PM Barnier's Government Survives No-Confidence Vote Amid Far-Right Support

Michel Barnier, the new conservative Prime Minister of France, survived a no-confidence motion brought by the left-wing opposition, with the motion failing to gather the necessary 289 votes. The motion was brought by 192 lawmakers of the New Popular Front coalition, who accused Barnier of being a "hostage and accomplice" of the far-right National Rally. Despite his government being weak and propped up by the far-right, Barnier has sought to firmly take the reins and has warned that France faces a financial crisis if its budget deficit is not narrowed.