French government faces no-confidence vote on Wednesday

PM Michel Barnier tells MPs they face moment of truth' after left and right lodge motions censuring government

The French government appears likely to fall this week after leftwing and far-right parties lodged motions of no confidence in response to the prime minister's decision to push through a belt-tightening budget without a vote.

If passed by MPs, the motions, which will be put to a vote in the national assembly on Wednesday, will bring down the government and force Michel Barnier's resignation after only two and a half months.