French government on verge of collapse as PM faces vote

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier could be ousted in a no-confidence vote on Wednesday, just three months after being appointed to run the government by President Emmanuel Macron.

Opposition parties tabled the motion after the former Brexit negotiator controversially used special powers to force through his budget without a vote.

Barnier pleaded his case on French television on Tuesday night and said it was "possible" he could survive Wednesday's vote.

But opposition parties on the left and right are expected to unite to remove him, fuelling the political instability which has gripped France since summer elections produced a divided parliament, and increasing the pressure on Macron.

France has been beset by political uncertainty since snap elections in June and July called unexpectedly by Macron led to no single group having a majority in parliament.

While a left-wing alliance won most seats, Macron appointed the conservative Barnier in a bid to reinstate stability - but his government has been consistently undermined because it does not have a majority.

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