French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is applauded by members of the French government after he delivered a speech during a debate on two motions of no-confidence against the French government, tabled by the alliance of left-wing parties the “Nouveau Front Populaire” (New Popular Front – NFP) and the far-right Rassemblement National party, after the use by French government of the article 49.3, a special clause in the French Constitution, to push the budget bill through the National Assembly without a vote by lawmakers, at the National Assembly in Paris, France, December 4, 2024. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier