The Minister of Economy, Antoine Armand, called again “Everyone has their responsibilities” On Saturday, November 30, to try to get the government out of a deep political crisis over its budget project.
In the minority, the executive multiplies commitments to try to escape a motion of censure that, if the government were overthrown, would delay the adoption of a state budget. The vote on the Social Security budget in the National Assembly on Monday, December 2, could serve as a trigger for the presentation of said motion, if the Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, decides to activate article 49.3 of the Constitution to have the text adopted without running the risk of being rejected by the deputies.
A motion of no confidence presented on Monday by the opposition will be examined on Wednesday at the earliest. If the left and the National Rally united their voices, the government would be overthrown. This would be the first time since the fall of Georges Pompidou’s government in 1962.
“The absence of a budget and political instability would cause a sudden and substantial increase in the financing costs of the French debt”the minister stated during a press conference the day after the S&P agency maintained France’s rating. “At this crucial moment, beyond partisan divisions, for the general interest, our country needs a budget and I call on everyone to assume responsibility”He pleaded.
On Saturday morning, deputy Jean-Philippe Tanguy (National Rally), responsible for economic issues in the far-right party, testified before the echoes : “We are waiting to see the Social Security budget project on Monday to draw the consequences. If the text has not evolved and the Government decides on 49.3, we will vote for censure.”. Although the “Secu” budget was the subject of an agreement between deputies and senators in the mixed commission on Wednesday, the government can still modify its text until the last moment to respond to the opposition’s demands.
“Red lines” marked by the RN
“Our red lines have been the same since the beginning of the budget discussion and we will not back down on any of our demands. It is not about committing to the revaluation of all pensions on 1Ahem January “Jean-Philippe Tanguy also commented, this time on the finance bill discussed in the Senate in parallel to the Social Security bill.
Following a drop in pensions or employer contributions, the Government agreed not to increase, in the finance bill, an electricity tax beyond its pre-tariff shield level to satisfy the National Assembly, which is threatening to ally with the left to overthrow him. .
Despite everything, the party leader, Marine Le Pen, did not seem willing to give up government censorship. On Friday, the deputy for Pas de Calais demanded answers before Monday, the date from which the Government will no longer be able to modify its Social Security budget project.
The “red lines” formulated by the far-right party also include the cancellation of the partial deindexation of pensions to inflation – which represent three billion savings – on 1Ahem January and medication reimbursement. “Basically, we can ask ourselves a question when those who had certain red lines gradually announce others”commented Antoine Armand on Saturday. “We still have a few days left (…) of democratic debate. That this debate is held with the aim of returning France to a deficit of less than 5%, far from being a position.”the minister called again.
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At the same time, the Senate continued on Saturday its examination of the “revenue” section of the finance bill, which it should approve on Sunday, after having partially modified it. After a week of rarely discussed debates at the Luxembourg Palace, senators broadly approved most of the government’s flagship measures, seeking €60 billion in savings to reduce the deficit to 5% of GDP in 2025, up from 6%. .1% in 2024. will go, starting Monday, to the examination of the “expenses” section of the State budget.
