French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is bracing for a no-confidence vote this week, a political reckoning poised to topple his fragile government and send shockwaves across the eurozone.

The last time the National Assembly brought down a government was in 1962. “The French will not forgive us if we put individual interests before that of the nation,” Mr Barnier pleaded to deputies in the chamber.

Barring a last-minute surprise, Barnier's fragile coalition will be the first French government to be forced out by a no-confidence vote since 1962. A government collapse would leave a hole at the heart of Europe, with Germany also in election mode, weeks ahead of Donald Trump re-entering the White House.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has used special powers to push through a social security budget bill without a vote by MPs, in a move expected to trigger vote of no confidence in government. Opposition parties are now set to trigger that vote - which could take place as early as Wednesday - and which Barnier's minority government is unlikely

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.

France's centre-right government is facing the threat of being overthrown by the opposition in a dispute over an austerity budget. The left-wing alliance in the National Assembly has submitted a motion of no confidence against the Cabinet of Prime Minister Michel Barnier.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Monday pushed through his social security budget without a vote in the National Assembly, making use of executive powers in a move likely to prompt a vote of no confidence in his minority government.

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