France's minority government is on the brink of collapse after Prime Minister Michel Barnier used special powers to force through his budget without a vote in parliament. Furious opposition parties said they would back a no-confidence motion to oust the former Brexit negotiator in a vote that could take place as early as Wednesday.

Michel Barnier, who lacks a majority in the Assemblée Nationale, activated Article 49.3 of the Constitution on Monday. This move led to the tabling of two motions of no-confidence by the radical left and the far right.

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.