Left and Right-wing parties in the Paris parliament united to defeat the 73-year-old conservative in a no-confidence vote that also meant humiliation for President Emmanuel Macron.
It was backed by 331 votes in the 577-seat chamber - far more than the 288 needed plunging France into a period of political paralysis, as observers predict economic disaster too.
French bonds and stocks were already being sold off at an alarming rate as borrowing costs soared.
With both Marine Le Pen's National Rally and the leftist New Popular Front backing Mr Barnier's ousting, he had no chance of survival.
Voting took place soon after Mr Macron returned from Saudi Arabia.
He ruled out resigning, saying: "I was elected twice by the French people", and "my priority is stability".
This story is from the December 05, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
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This story is from the December 05, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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