Michel Barnier is poised to oversee the government’s Social Security budget, facing possible censure from the National Rally. Prime Minister’s intention to use Article 49.3 to pass the budget without a vote has sparked political tensions. The left supports the censure, while RN leader Jordan Bardella threatens to activate it unless Barnier revises his proposal. Concerns over potential economic fallout from political instability have been raised, with discussions on negotiating terms to avoid a censure ongoing.
Michel Barnier Faces Censure Over Social Security Budget
PARIS (Reuters) – Michel Barnier is set to take charge of his government’s actions on Monday regarding the Social Security budget project (PLFSS), placing himself in a precarious position as he faces potential censure from the National Rally (RN).
During an interview on TF1 last Tuesday, the Prime Minister acknowledged that he would likely resort to Article 49.3 of the Constitution. This allows a bill to be passed without a vote if the government lacks a sufficient majority in the National Assembly, where the PLFSS is scheduled for review.
If no motion of censure is passed against the government, the draft will be considered adopted. Notably, any motion must be examined at least 48 hours after being submitted, which means the earliest possible consideration would be Wednesday. A successful motion requires 289 votes to remove the government from power.
Political Reactions and Demands
The left, comprising nearly 200 elected officials from parties such as LFI (La France insoumise) and the Socialist Party, has expressed unanimous support for the censure.
Jordan Bardella, the RN president, confirmed on Monday that his party would support a motion of censure if the government invokes Article 49.3 to advance the PLFSS. He stated, “The National Rally will activate the censure mechanism unless, of course, there is a last-minute miracle, if Michel Barnier were to revise his proposal by 3 PM. But I have little hope.”
If Barnier opts not to trigger 49.3, the RN will still vote ‘against’ the budget, as per Sébastien Chenu, the party’s vice-president. The RN is also calling for pension indexing to inflation for all retirees starting January 1, along with the elimination of reductions in drug reimbursements.
On Sunday, the RN parliamentary leader noted that the government has made it clear it does not intend to amend the PLFSS, a sentiment echoed by RN officials.
Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen asserted that “censure is not inevitable” during an interview with La Tribune Dimanche, suggesting that if Barnier were willing to negotiate, it could lead to a better outcome. She pointed out that his political background should encourage dialogue.
Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon reiterated the administration’s openness to negotiation but cautioned that a censure could lead to prolonged recovery time for the nation.
Amid concerns for financial market stability raised by Barnier, Le Pen countered that the government often reacts with panic, stating, “A censure simply resets the counters to renegotiate on an acceptable basis.”
Economy Minister Antoine Armand highlighted that while Standard & Poor’s maintained France’s debt rating at AA- with a stable outlook, any political instability from a censure could lead to severe economic repercussions.
On the left, Manuel Bompard accused the RN of using its threats to divert attention from its collaboration with the government, which has allowed it to persist despite lacking a majority in the Assembly. He argued that if Barnier’s government collapses, the focus will shift to Emmanuel Macron’s potential resignation, given the gravity of the political situation. “We are in a situation of such political gravity, such a democratic blockage… the question posed after the fall of the government is that of the departure of the President of the Republic,” he concluded.