France's government threatens to fall sooner than expected
In the dispute over France's budget, the right-wing nationalist Marine Le Pen has put further pressure on Michel Barnier's conservative government. The leader of the Rassemblement National party is threatening a vote of no confidence if her budgetary demands for the coming year are not met. These include a recalculation of pensions. The next few days could be decisive for the French government.
01.12.2024, 17:41
SDA
Just a few days ago, Prime Minister Barnier made concessions by waiving a tax increase on electricity. But she is demanding new concessions. A vote of no confidence is "not inevitable" if the prime minister agrees to negotiate budget texts with parliament, she told the Sunday newspaper "Tribune Dimanche".
Le Pen could unite with left-wing alliance
On Monday, the bill on the financing of social security will be presented to the National Assembly. Without a majority, the Prime Minister could decide to apply Article 49.3 of the Constitution, which allows a budget text to be approved without a vote. However, he risks bringing down the government if Marine Le Pen's party joins forces with the hated left-wing alliance.
A few days ago, Barnier recalled on French television that France was heavily in debt with 3,228 billion euros and had to make savings. His center-right government had therefore introduced an austerity budget. In the coming year, the government wants to make up 60 billion euros through savings and additional revenue.
