PARIS – Far-right leader Marine Le Pen threatened on Monday to withdraw her support for France’s coalition government in a vote of no confidence, after negotiations with Prime Minister Michel Barnier failed to meet demands budgetary concessions from his party.

Le Pen said nothing had changed following the discussions and she was not optimistic that a compromise could be reached on the belt-tightening 2025 finance bill.

“Nothing seems less certain,” she told reporters.

The Senate was scheduled to debate Monday following its rejection by National Assembly lawmakers after revisions by lower house lawmakers.

Opposition parties are threatening to overthrow Barnier’s government as it seeks approval of the budget, and his fragile coalition depends on his National Rally (RN) party for survival.

The government is seeking 60 billion euros ($62.85 billion) in savings through tax increases and spending cuts to bring the deficit down to 5% of economic output next year , compared to more than 6% this year.

The National Rally has said it will support efforts to overthrow the government if certain demands are not met. Le Pen said last week that the RN was opposed to increasing the tax burden on households, entrepreneurs or retirees, and that until now these demands were not reflected in the draft law. finances.

LEGAL ISSUES

Le Pen’s political future is also under threat, with prosecutors seeking a mandatory five-year ban from all political activity for her alleged role in an embezzlement scheme. Le Pen denies these allegations.

Some analysts have suggested his legal troubles could accelerate his plans to overthrow the government,

Barnier’s difficulties in obtaining approval of the budget fueled speculation that he would invoke article 49.3 of the Constitution, which allows the text to be adopted without a vote. Such a move could trigger a motion of censure against the government.

“It is true that we find very little quality in this budget and very little time for the government to try to increase its qualities and reduce its defects,” Le Pen said.

Barnier was also due to meet other political leaders on Monday to seek compromise on the budget bill. A final vote on the overall budget is scheduled for December 12. REUTERS