French Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government faces a critical challenge as far-right leader Marine Le Pen threatens a no-confidence vote

France's far-right National Rally (RN) party will likely back a no-confidence motion against the government in the coming days unless there is a "last minute miracle", RN president Jordan Bardella said on Monday.

In just a few hours on Monday, lawmakers are set to gather in the National Assembly to vote on next year’s social security budget, with Barnier aiming to regain control over France’s spiraling deficit. If Barnier tries to circumvent a vote, the political opposition could cause his government to fall.

To survive the vote in the fractured lower house, Barnier needs Marine Le Pen's party to abstain, otherwise his government and the budget bill could fall, plunging France into a political crisis.

A commission of Senators and members of the National Assembly have hashed out a compromise 2025 budget that, if passed by the both full assemblies, could avoid the government having to force the bill through without a vote.

Frances far-right National Rally is intensifying its push against the government, refusing to back down on budget demands and raising the possibility of a no-confidence vote. The fallout could shake political and