Following the June-July parliamentary elections, the National Assembly, France’s powerful lower house of parliament, is divided into three major blocs: a left-wing coalition known as the New Popular Front, Macron’s centrist allies and the far-right National Rally party. None won an outright majority.

France is facing the prospect of the collapse of its government amid a row over how to tackle the country’s large budget deficit.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier faces two votes of no confidence after employing Article 49.3 of the French constitution to push his controversial Budget through.