In an interview with French broadcaster TF1 Le Pen says there was "no other solution" than to oust Barnier from his post.

The irony is unlikely to be lost on Emmanuel Macron: while France’s fire-struck Notre-Dame cathedral is to reopen after being saved in extremis from total collapse, the country’s government is about to come crashing down.

French President Emmanuel Macron will address the nation on Thursday after opposition lawmakers ousted the minority government, deepening the country's political crisis, the Elysee said. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks to Rainbow Murray,