The French prime minister faces a confidence vote after forcing through the budget

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier faces a vote of no confidence in his minority government after he used special powers to table a social security budget bill without a vote of MPs.

The government is unlikely to survive the vote, which was sparked this afternoon by the far-left France Unbod (LFI) opposition party and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN).

It could happen as early as Wednesday.

Despite the last-minute concessions, Barnier clearly did not think he would be able to get his budget bill over the line.

The New Popular Front, an alliance of several left-wing parties, prevailed Macron supporters and against the right after early elections in July.

Fiercely left out of the alliance Macron’s decision to pivot to the center right by selecting Barnier as his new prime ministerAnd promised to vote against the government.

This meant that Barnier had to rely on the RN for the survival of his government.

The budget bill sought to rein in France’s spiraling deficit through €60bn (£49bn) in tax increases and spending cuts.

Because he lacked a majority, Barnier had to make concessions to critics.

These include Canceling the previously planned increase in electricity tax, as well as plans for a less generous drug reimbursement policy from next year.

But the new version of the Social Security Budget is not acceptable to the opposition parties.

He used Article 49.3 of the French constitution, which allows the text of a bill to be passed without a vote, to push through his 2025 budget after the RN joined the left in opposing it.

“I don’t think the French people will forgive us for choosing the interests of the party over the future of the country,” Barnier explained to MPs on Tuesday the reasons for his decision. “Now, everyone will have to take responsibility for themselves as I took responsibility for mine.”

Marine Le Pen explained the RN position.

“Barnier didn’t listen to the 11 million voters of the RN… Everyone has to take their own responsibility and that’s what we will do,” he said.

In September, President Emmanuel Macron invited Barnier to form a government.

If Barnier does not survive Wednesday’s vote, he will remain caretaker prime minister until Macron announces a new government.

That could be a new majority government – unlikely given the split in the French parliament – or a technical government to lead the country until new elections are held next summer.

The process could take weeks, as a snap general election did after a hung parliament in the summer.

Several parties are also clamoring for fresh presidential elections. As it stands, Macron will remain in office until 2027.