Jordan Bardella, leader of the French far-right National Rally party. Photo: AFP
France’s far-right National Assembly (RN) party is likely to file a vote of no confidence in the government in the coming days, barring a “last-minute miracle,” RN President Jordan Bardella said on Monday, according to AFP and Reuters.
Bardella noted that if the government does not amend the budget text by 15:00, the RN will activate the mechanism of a no-confidence motion. “We have little hope, but if Prime Minister Michel Barnier does not change the budget, we will submit this resolution,” Bardella said.
With Prime Minister Barnier abandoning his plans to raise electricity tariffs, the RN is also demanding that pensions be increased in line with inflation, as the government had planned to increase them by a lower level. In addition, the party calls for the abolition of cuts to drug reimbursement and denies a possible increase in gas taxes. One of the main demands of the RN is to reduce France’s contributions to the European Union budget.
On Monday, members of the French parliament will consider the final text of the social security budget. If a majority is not reached, the government may invoke Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass the budget without a vote. This procedure paves the way for a vote of no confidence, which could be voted on Wednesday or Thursday.
Government spokesperson Maud Brejon expressed concern about the consequences of a possible no-confidence vote, stressing that the government remains open to dialogue and is committed to ensuring budget stability to avoid an economic and financial crisis.
At the same time, Pierre Mossovici, the head of the Public Audit Office, warned that France is in a difficult economic situation, and the risk of blocking the national budget in parliament could compound the country’s financial difficulties. “Our financial situation is dangerous,” Mossovici said on France 2.
