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.

The French government “has put an end to discussions” on possible changes to the social security bill, Marine Le Pen told AFP on Sunday, paving the way for a possible no-confidence vote on Monday.

“The clock is ticking,” was one of Michel Barnier’s favourite lines as the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, when he perfected the art of using deadlines to strengthen his hand. Now, as France’s prime minister, he is the one running out of time.