French Prime Minister Michel Barnier must make further budget concessions to avoid a no confidence motion that could topple his government, National Rally lawmaker Marine Le Pen said on Sunday. Le Pen has given Barnier until Monday to yield to budget demands from the National Rally (RN) or face the threat that they would back a likely no confidence motion against his government,

“The clock is ticking,” was one of Michel Barnier’s favourite lines as the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, when he perfected the art of using deadlines to strengthen his hand. Now, as France’s prime minister, he is the one running out of time.

Marine Le Pen’s National Rally set out further demands for changes to the French government’s 2025 budget bill after Prime Minister Michel Barnier dropped plans to raise taxes on electricity in a key concession.