Dhe government of French President Emmanuel Macron wants to push through the budget for the coming year without a vote in parliament. Because there is no sign of a majority for the budget, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne announced on Wednesday evening that she would resort to a special article in the constitution. This means that the budget will be considered approved if there is no successful vote of no confidence in the government.
Since the parliamentary elections in the summer, Macron’s liberal government no longer has an absolute majority in parliament. With their opposition to the budget, the opposition is waging a showdown to let the president feel his limited powers. But the criticism is also substantive. The new left-wing alliance speaks of an austerity budget and wants more social spending and investments in climate protection. The conservative Républicains have criticized excessive spending that is driving up France’s debt. The right-wing Rassemblement National believes that Macron can be restricted by the EU budget rules.
On Wednesday evening, the Left Party and the Rassemblement National each announced a vote of no confidence. However, it is unlikely that such a vote will be successful. For the Républicains in particular, new elections are likely to entail the risk of losing even more seats, so that their approval is not to be expected. A vote of no confidence after the application of the special article of the constitution has never been successful in the past.
The fact that the government is taking drastic steps in the debate shows the difficult situation it has been in since losing an absolute majority. Regular talks between the prime minister and representatives of the opposition, which were supposed to pave the way for compromises, came to nothing.
A next showdown is expected in France over the pension reform that Macron is aiming for. According to his plan, the French should work longer, and the retirement age should rise from 62 to 64 or 65. The reform should take effect by next summer at the latest – it remains to be seen whether the project will get a majority in parliament or whether the government will resort to power again.
