To survive the vote in the fractured lower house, Barnier needs Marine Le Pen's party to abstain, otherwise his government and the budget bill could fall, plunging France into a political crisis.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government faces a major test over approval of a disputed draft budget, with far-right leader Marine Le Pen threatening a no-confidence vote in parliament should its budget demands not be addressed.

Marine Le Pen, National Rally (RN) leader, has threatened to bring down the French government on Monday if Michel Barnier, France’s prime minister, does not drop effective cuts to pensions.