Michel Barnier tells MPs they face a ‘moment of truth’ after both the left and the far right lodge motions to bring down the government

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier used a constitutional tool to push through parts of his unpopular budget bill without a parliamentary vote, raising the prospect lawmakers could dissolve his government within a matter of days.

The French Prime Minister Michel Barnier invoked a special tool to push through a controversial budget without a parliamentary vote.