Far-right leader holds prime minister’s future in her hands as eurozone’s second biggest economy hurtles toward political and financial uncertainty.

French bonds fell after the far-right party renewed its threats to bring down Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government if its demands over the 2025 budget aren’t met.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier must make further budget concessions to avoid a no confidence motion that could topple his government, National Rally lawmaker Marine Le Pen said on Sunday. Le Pen has given Barnier until Monday to yield to budget demands from the National Rally (RN) or face the threat that they would back a likely no confidence motion against his government,

“The clock is ticking,” was one of Michel Barnier’s favourite lines as the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, when he perfected the art of using deadlines to strengthen his hand. Now, as France’s prime minister, he is the one running out of time.

Marine Le Pen’s ultimatum to French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, even after he caved on a key demand from her party, lays bare the unprecedented clout the far-right leader now wields in Paris’ halls of power.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who holds outsize leverage in France’s split parliament, gave Prime Minister Michel Barnier until Monday to adhere to her budget red lines before she decides whether to topple the government.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Thursday announced a major concession in a bid to end a standoff with the opposition over the budget, which has caused jitters on financial markets and risks bringing down his minority government.

Marine Le Pen’s National Rally set out further demands for changes to the French government’s 2025 budget bill after Prime Minister Michel Barnier dropped plans to raise taxes on electricity in a key concession.