French government survives first no-confidence vote over Mercosur trade deal

French government faces two no-confidence motions in parliament

General view of the hemicycle during a debate before votes on two no-confidence motions against the French government tabled by members of parliament of La France Insoumise (France Unbowed - LFI) and the Rassemblement National (National Rally - RN), in response to the government's handling of the EU-Mercosur trade deal, during a session at the National Assembly in Paris, France, January 14, 2026. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

Source: REUTERS

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's government survived a first vote of no confidence in parliament on Wednesday that had been called in protest against a sweeping trade deal agreed between the EU and the South American Mercosur bloc.

The motion, filed by the hard-left France Unbowed party (LFI), was backed by 256 members of parliament. 288 votes were needed for the motion to pass.

A second no confidence motion, filed by the far-right National Rally (RN) on the same grounds, will be voted on shortly.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters