Title: “Motion of censure against Élisabeth Borne: the government narrowly escapes dismissal”
Introduction :
During an eventful session in the National Assembly, the government of Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne survived a motion of censure tabled by the opposition. This attempt at dismissal, the 18th since Borne’s arrival in Matignon, was rejected by a large majority. However, this episode foreshadows intense parliamentary battles to come, with the announced use of 49.3 on several occasions to pass the State and Social Security budgets.
The arguments in favor of the motion of censure:
The left-wing opposition, led by the Nupes party, strongly criticized the government for its management of the economy and the inflationary crisis. The socialist deputy Philippe Brun denounced a policy which favors a wealthy minority to the detriment of the rest of the population. He also pointed out the multiple uses of 49.3 by President Macron, accusing the latter of wanting to make Parliament disappear.
The Prime Minister’s responses:
Faced with these attacks, Élisabeth Borne reserved her responses to “the two extremes of the hemicycle”, namely La France Insoumise (LFI) and the National Rally (RN). She described their criticism as demagogic and affirmed that the necessary investments were indeed present in the budgetary trajectory. She notably mentioned an envelope of 40 billion for the ecological transition in 2024 and an increase in teachers’ salaries.
The issues for the government:
Despite avoiding impeachment, the government knows it will face new challenges in passing its bills. Indeed, he plans to use 49.3 on several occasions to pass the State and Social Security budgets, due to lack of an absolute majority in the National Assembly. This tactic risks increasing tension between the government and the opposition, which denounces the authoritarianism of the repeated use of this measure.
Conclusion :
The motion of censure against Élisabeth Borne was rejected by the National Assembly, thus allowing the government to continue its budgetary trajectory. However, this decision marks the start of an intense period of parliamentary debates and confrontations. The government will have to use all the strategies at its disposal to pass its bills, while facing an opposition determined to challenge its economic policy. To be continued.