France’s far right threatens to bring down the government over the planned budget

PARIS (AP) — French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has threatened bring down France’s minority government by the end of the year unless changes are made to the country’s budget bill. Le Pen spoke after a meeting with conservative Prime Minister Michel Barnier over next year’s budget and other issues. Le Pen insists there must be no increase in electricity taxes and that state pensions should rise in January. She said lawmakers from her National Rally party would bring a confidence motion if the bill now being debated isn’t changed. Barnier’s Cabinet is forced to rely on the far right’s good will to be able to stay in power. The budget bill for next year needs to be passed by Dec. 21.