France’s government weathers no-confidence votes over budget
A total of 269 MPs voted in favor of the no-confidence motion put forward by the far-left French Insubordinators, along with the Greens and Communists, while 288 votes were needed to overthrow the government. Even fewer supported the second motion of no confidence submitted by the far right.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu will now again invoke Article 49.3 of the constitution, requiring the spending part of the budget to go through the National Assembly – a move that will almost certainly trigger new votes of no confidence.
President Emmanuel Macron’s government was forced to bypass parliament after months of negotiations failed to deliver a “financial bill to address the deficit” to be passed by a lower house where no party has a working majority.
LE PEN SAYS VOTERS WILL PUNISH GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORTERS
In his quest for a budget, Macron lost two governments and saw France descend into turmoil rarely seen since the founding of the current system of government, the Fifth Republic, in 1958.
With France dependent on last year’s emergency replacement budget to stay afloat, Lecornu made last-minute concessions earlier this month to ensure the Socialists agreed not to overthrow the government if it invoked special constitutional powers.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said government opponents who supported Lecornu in the confidence vote would pay the price in future elections, including local elections in March and presidential elections in 2027.
Speaking to the MPs before the vote, Le Pen said, “Do not think that no one is watching you. The French people see you and they will make you pay for it at the ballot box.” “Not only for the (budget) bloodshed you put them through, but also for the humiliating process you put them through.” Lecornu says the budget deficit will not exceed 5% of GDP, below the 5.4% target in 2025, but still well above the European Union’s 3% limit.
The government expects the full budget to be finalized in the first half of February, a government official said.
