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.

The end of Michel Barnier’s government looks inevitable, even imminent, and would add to the country’s political malaise. The only question seems to be: How long can he last?

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,