End of grace for the French Government led by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. Centrist Manager faced off this Monday three No-confidence motions in the National Assembly. None of them had almost a chance of succeeding in parliament. opposition It is the majority in terms of number of seats, but it is divided into opposing ideological poles.
“Censorship cannot be just a stance, the consequences must be suffered. We must remember what would be the alternative majority. (…) I cannot imagine for a moment how RN and NUPES could manage together”, Borne condemned the divided opposition. These motions of no confidence submitted by left coalition NUPES (two) and a third by the far-right National Regrouping (RN) – in response to last week’s approval of the 2023 budget and social security through controversial article 49.3. This, in turn, allowed it to be passed without a parliamentary vote.
Movement of the received left 239 upvotes and that of the far right, 90. The third vote was scheduled for Monday night. All fell far short of the 289 minimum threshold to reach an absolute majority. President Emmanuel Macron said at the end of September that if a no-confidence motion is successful, Dissolves parliament immediately and will go to early general elections.
Minority government, divided opposition
“49.3, weapon of the weak, those with few arguments” assured environmental attorney Cyrielle Chatelain, who presented one of the NUPES no-confidence motions. This progressive alliance of France Rebellious, Socialist Party, Greens and Communists is the main opposition force in Parliament with 151 seats. The leader of the Greens group added that these budgets represent “the head of the gondola of economic liberalism and climate inaction.”
although they contain A total of 16,000 million dollars in aid euro to face energy crisisnext year’s accounts represent a return to the ideological path of the past by prioritizing. tax deductions and eliminate the most private investments to revive the economy after the covid-19 pandemic. With their final adoption by a government decree, Special tax on “super dividends” Number of companies approved by the House following an amendment introduced by a centrist MP. Thanks to article 49.3, the 2023 budget will be budgets specially prepared for Macron.
Although the President lost the absolute majority in the Parliament in the general elections held in June, rule in the minority. After a summer when Macronismo managed to pass important laws through treaties. Republicans (LR relates to PP in France), with the coming of autumn the positions have hardened. Macronismo chose the 49.3 parliamentary election before a more demanding republican right and an opposition that could approve multiple changes to budgets, which was considered a parliamentary setback for the Executive.
“Looks like they didn’t get the message”
“On June 19 (second round of legislative elections), the President should have understood the message and shown more humility. However, neither he nor the majority of the government seem to have understood the message”, criticizing the extreme right-wing Marine Le Pen, who did not accept the no-confidence motion. support from any other group. On the other hand, 89 deputies of the RN supported what was presented by NUPES.
Representatives of a group of regionalists (Corsica, Brittany, etc.), as well as LR representatives, opposed three votes of no confidence. “Our responsibility is not to provoke the public” political instability “This would paralyze the country at a time when the French are facing inflation,” he said.
“If we want to avoid this Russian roulette It is necessary to change the way of government in the National Assembly”, warned regionalist Bertrand Pancher. Four months after the legislative election, the Borne Executive has already faced four no-confidence motions. It can continue to rule as a minority, thanks to the presidential model of the Fifth Republic, where the executive power predominates over the legislature.
However, this management style does not like the French very much. According to recent polls, Prime Minister lost five points of popularity last month (38%) and the president, three (35%). Both are feeling the wear and tear of the first weeks of autumn, marked by the strike at the fuel refineries. After forcing some of the strikers to work, the situation at gas stations improved significantly. This Monday, although workers at the two refineries went on strike, only 10% had difficulty problems. Admittedly, it’s a relief for a Macron government in trouble in Parliament.