The free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia) was included in the peasant demonstrations and will soon be in the National Assembly. The government has requested the organization of a debate within the framework of article 50-1 of the Constitution, followed by a vote, scheduled for Tuesday, November 26. The result is not in doubt, since the agreement is rejected by almost all seats. The debate, initially scheduled for December 10, will finally be held two weeks earlier, for fear that the agreement will not be signed by then. The official signing of the treaty could take place during the Mercosur summit, scheduled for December 5-7 in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Rebellious France (LFI) was quick to disconnect. The group recalled having included in the agenda of its parliamentary “niche”, on November 28, a proposed resolution “invite the government to reject ratification” of the trade agreement. But, considered as a “mandate” to the government, the proposed resolution was considered inadmissible.
On France 3 on Sunday, LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon called for the organization of a vote in the Assembly. So, thank you Michel Barnier? “I don’t say thank you, I say victory!” »proclaimed on Tuesday Mathilde Panot (Val-de-Marne), president of the “rebel” group, after learning of the Prime Minister’s willingness to make a statement to the National Assembly, followed by a debate and a vote.
symbolic vote
A reading of the facts contested by the government. This initiative – “requested by Common Core groups and others”We tell Matignon, it is described as the continuation of Michel Barnier’s listening stance towards deputies and senators. “It is important that Parliament plays its role. With the organization of this democratic debate, it is your right.”explains the Prime Minister’s environment.
The Loire deputy Antoine Vermorel-Marques (Les Républicains, LR) acknowledges that it was after the inadmissibility of the “rebellious” resolution proposal that he had the idea of organizing a vote in the National Assembly on the agreement with Mercosur. At the beginning of November he gave it to Michel Barnier, with whom he is very close, and exhibited it publicly in OpinionNovember 15.
Article 50-1, introduced during the 2008 constitutional reform, provides a clever means for the government to make a statement on a specific issue that leads to a debate, or even a vote, without incurring liability. A vote is not even mandatory and remains quite symbolic. Often, the government only calls for a vote when it knows it will win. Even when he knows he can open a tactical gap in the opposition: this was the case on March 12, during a debate that saw the left divided over the issue of French military aid to Ukraine.
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