A step forward, one step back … The deputies voted on Wednesday, May 28 at night in favor of the abolition of “low -broadcast areas” (ZFE). As a reminder, this flagship system and the resistance of the first five -year term of Emmanuel Macron excludes the most polluting vehicles from the proximity of several cities.
Ecological measure is also part of the desire to protect public health. But its application was followed by many criticisms, especially due to the weight of this more precarious restriction, often unable to change its old car.
Towards a censorship of the Constitutional Council?
This ecological measure could be questioned after the vote of an LR-RN amendment included in the “Simplification” bill. The abolition of ZFES was adopted by 98 votes against 51, with those of the RN-UDR alliance, of the right, of LFI. The macronista camp was divided.
But several steps must still be validated so that this elimination is effective. The deputies must study the remaining 623 amendments before voting for the complete bill, which in turn must obtain the majority.
“On the consequences, it is too early to talk about it. The parliamentary debate must come to an end,” BFMTV said the entourage of the Agnès Pannier-Runacher Ecological Transition Minister.
Another obstacle, the hypothetical censorship of the Constitutional Council. The measure could be a legislative rider, a measure introduced by an amendment in a law in preparation that has no connection with the text in question.
“The Assembly has voted, now we must see if the Constitutional Council says that in fact it is a measure of simplification of economic life, otherwise it can be rebuilt,” said Prime Minister François Bayrou.
“It cost us expensive if confirmed”
As a reminder, France is exposed to new sanctions by eliminating ZFES. By not respecting contamination thresholds with respect to air quality, the State Council had sentenced France to a fine of 40 million euros after three sentences since 2021. In 2024, France escapes it and in its decision at the end of April, the State Council mentions the key role of the ZFE.
The Court of Justice of Europe had already condemned France in 2019 for deficiencies on air quality and last year sent a new formal notification letter.
“It will cost us expensive if it is (elimination, editor’s note) confirmed,” said a central block frame.
The fact is that for the government camp, the defense of these ZFE is delicate. Within the block, some deputies have placed themselves in favor of elimination. “No one has tried to be interested in this issue because it is divisive and difficult to defend. Some deputies did not want to take risks,” a relative of the prime minister acknowledges.
Source: BFM TV
