Emmanuel Macron’s government survived two no-confidence votes in parliament on Wednesday, linked to anger over a planned EU trade deal with the Mercosur bloc.
Motions brought by the right-wing National Rally and the left-wing France Unbowed did not attract enough support to bring down Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s cabinet.
Both parties accused Macron of mishandling the long-negotiated agreement with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, which French farmers fear will undercut domestic agriculture through cheaper imports. Although Macron has said France will oppose the deal, critics argue his stance came too late, with enough EU states backing the accord ahead of its expected signing this weekend.
The votes highlighted the fragile political landscape in France, where Macron has faced sustained opposition since snap elections last year produced a hung parliament.
