The far right, the right and the entire left wing of France’s National Assembly this Thursday called for the government to resign following the forced adoption of pension reform, promising to table three motions of censure in the next 24 hours.
“We will, of course, move a censure motion because it is necessary to criticize this government and we hope that anyone who would vote against this reform will vote in favor of our censure motion. (…) We will all vote in the advantage of [moções] the ones presented,” said Marine Le Pen, leader of the far right, after the announcement in the House of the use of Article 49.3 to approve the reform of the pension system.
In the next 24 hours, in response to Emmanuel Macron’s choice to force the adoption of this reform, using an article of the Constitution and without a vote in the Chamber, at least three motions of censure will be tabled: one from the extreme right, another from the coalition of the left, and yet another that could be supported by some right-wing deputies and from other minority groups.
Mathematically, it is very difficult to pass any of these motions, but for the opposition, the government has lost credibility.
“We are dealing with a document that has not been adopted within the parameters of a parliamentary democracy […] The National Assembly has the final say in the face of this massive failure and collapse of this presidential minority. I think we have a good chance to have the last word, our protests will reach the Élysée,” assured Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of France Insubmissive (left).
After the parliamentary session, both Jean-Luc Melenchon and other representatives of the left joined the protesters who gathered on the other bank of the Seine, in front of the People’s Assembly, in a surprise demonstration that grew throughout the afternoon.
The right, which should have guaranteed the approval of this reform to Emmanuel Macron, said it would not vote on the censure motions already being discussed on Monday, although it criticized “the lack of social dialogue” during the session. negotiation period of this reform, said Olivier Marleix, president of the parliamentary group of Os Republicanos.
There is now doubt about the future of the prime minister, whose main mission was to negotiate this reform and secure a majority. Even if the censure motions fail to pass, Elisabeth Borne could leave the government, paving the way for a new executive leader.
One of the most controversial articles of this new law is the increase of the retirement age to 64 or 43 years of reductions, but also the end of the existing special regimes for employees in transport, energy or even the Bank of France, as well as the adoption of a special contract for the elderly, to promote employment for people over 60 years old.
The unions warned that “they will not let this issue die” and that an inter-union meeting tonight will decide whether or not the country’s strikes should continue. There have been eight days of general strike in the country since the beginning of the year.
Source: DN
