British News Agency

Unless there is a last-minute surprise, the fragile coalition will become the first French government to be brought down by a confidence vote since 1962.

Barnier's budget, aimed at reducing France's growing public deficit by €60 billion through tax increases and spending cuts, faced opposition from both left-wing and far-right politicians.

After a last-minute concession to Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) proved insufficient, Barnier used special powers to pass the social security budget, which includes austerity measures, through the lower house of parliament without a final vote.

Barnier's minority government relied on RN's support to stay in power.

The combined votes of the left and the far-right are sufficient to oust Barnier, and Le Pen confirmed on Monday that her party would support both the left-wing coalition's confidence motion and its own motion.

French Finance Minister Antoine Armand warned that the country is at a critical juncture due to uncertainty over the budget and the future structure of the government.

Armand told France 2 TV this morning: "The country is at a turning point," adding that politicians have a responsibility "not to drag the country into uncertainty" with a confidence vote. Barnier is expected to speak on television news programs this evening.