The French government has resorted for the fifth time to Article 49.3 of the Constitution, which allows it to push through a law in Parliament without the approval of the opposition, at the cost of facing another motion of censure which, if successful, would lead to the fall of the Executive.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, has forced the approval of the Social Security financing bill in the National Assembly, after hundreds of amendments had been tabled. Borne has argued that the debate cannot be «perpetuated», an argument similar to that used on previous occasions, according to ‘Le Monde’.
The group that supports the French president, Emmanuel Macron, lacks an absolute majority and fails to get external support to move forward key initiative. However, the 49.3 mechanism opens the door to motions of censure by the opposition.
The France Insoumise (LFI), Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s party, has announced that it will once again put the continuity of the current government to a vote, pending the support of other left or center groups. The ultra-right National Rally has also joined this bloc on other occasions in order to demonstrate the transverse discomfort with the Executive.
