The French government has once again resorted to Article 49.3 of the Constitution to push through the remainder of the 2023 General Budget in exchange for the opposition being able to file a motion of censure.
The French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, has made use of this constitutional tool to deal with the «upheaval» caused in the future state accounts after the Parliament approved on Monday two amendments of the ecologists and socialists to increase the allocation to MaPrimeRénov, the plan that seeks to implement energy efficiency in homes.
The approved amendments would mean a cost of up to 12,000 million euros, to which Borne has reproached that «you can not add billions of euros in expenses without subtracting them from other aids». In view of the fact that «the conditions for a constructive dialogue do not exist», the Prime Minister once again appealed to Article 49.3 of the Magna Carta.
«I am making sure to leave room for parliamentary debate. I have committed the responsibility of my government because the State (…) cannot remain without a budget», said Borne, according to the French radio station BFMTV.
The French Executive has already resorted several times to this constitutional tool in just fifteen days, thus allowing the opposition to present motions of censure which, to date, have never obtained the necessary support to unseat Borne and his government team.
The main opposition groups, La France Insoumise, of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, and Rassemblement Nationale, of Marine Le Pen, have been the promoters of these motions which have not obtained the necessary votes due to the refusal of the Republicans, who are in the opposition but for the moment safeguard a minority Executive which is having more and more problems to carry out its measures.
