The French government is on the brink of collapse as MPs prepare to vote on a motion of no confidence in Michel Barnier later today.

France’s left and right-wing parties united to bring forward two motions against the French prime minister earlier this week after he used a rare constitutional power to force through his budget. 

Mr Barnier, known for his role as the EU’s chief negotiator during the Brexit years, was installed by Emmanuel Macron in September after snap elections earlier in the summer.

His minority government is not expected to survive but Mr Barnier insisted on Wednesday it remained “possible” that the motion would not pass.

If the government falls, Mr Macron will be forced to appoint a new prime minister, which he would hope to do by Saturday ahead of Donald Trump’s visit, three sources told Reuters.

French MPs will vote on the motion of no-confidence at 7pm local time (6pm in the UK).