French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Monday forced through the 2025 budget without parliamentary approval, risking a no-confidence vote as early as on Wednesday.
PARIS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Monday invoked a special constitutional power to pass the 2025 social security budget without parliamentary approval.
This controversial move, employing Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, has triggered strong backlash from both the left-wing alliance and the far-right National Rally (RN), prompting them to announce a no-confidence vote against his government.
The budget bill had undergone months of heated debate and modifications. The National Assembly was supposed to vote on the compromised version of the bill, which included funding cuts in a bid to bring down the country's deficit. However, Barnier bypassed the vote, declaring it necessary to safeguard the nation's financial stability.
"We have now reached a moment of truth that places everyone to their responsibilities," Barnier told deputies before invoking Article 49.3. "I believe the French people would not forgive us for prioritizing individual interests over the future of the nation," he added.
The Paragraph 3 of Article 49 of the French Constitution allows the prime minister, with approval from the Council of Ministers, to adopt a bill without a parliamentary vote. The only way to overturn such a decision is through a no-confidence motion, which must pass with a majority in the National Assembly.
Mathilde Panot, a deputy representing the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, has vowed to use the no-confidence mechanism to force Barnier to step down. "He will face both dishonor and censure," Panot told BFMTV.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the RN, called the budget "profoundly unfair" to the French people. "We are launching a no-confidence vote," she said, adding that her party would back all no-confidence motions against the government, regardless of the proposing party.
With no single party holding an absolute majority in the French National Assembly, the combined votes of the NFP and the RN could likely force Barnier to resign. The first no-confidence vote is expected to take place on Wednesday, according to local media reports. ■