Forced Budget Approval in France: Bayrou Triggers Motion of Censure to Pass the Budget
French PM Éludes Immense Risks, Invokes Constitution Article to Rambudget Through
In an audacious stride, François Bayrou, France's dashing PM, has flaunted Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, clearing a path for the general budget's implementation sans the backing of Parliament. This unprecedented move has set the stage for a motion of no confidence, with the Socialists initially tip-toeing around it.
Knowing fully well the potential consequences, Bayrou admitted in the National Assembly that the project wasn't perfect but emphasized that discussions with all political groups had occurred. "First time since the Fifth Republic, our country has ventured this far without a budget," he cautioned.
Following Bayrou's speech, the rebellious France Insoumise party vowed to bring a motion of no confidence. "This illegitimate government must cave," they asserted on social media, recalling the triumph of the motion that booted out Michel Barnier's cabinet in December.
However, the Socialist Party backpedaled from their partners' stance and, unlike in December, plans to refrain from supporting the motion. For Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the founder of France Insoumise, the Socialist Party's changed stance signals the NPF's reduction to a single party.
As for the far-right National Rally, they're yet to take a stance, with their support proving essential in bringing down Barnier's cabinet.
Now let's delve into what this impasse truly entails:
- The government ducked a no-confidence vote over the budget row, with Bayrou surviving his third such vote, suggesting parliamentary acceptance despite adversarial maneuvers over the proposed budget plans[2].
- The budget focuses on trimming the 2026 public deficit below 3% of GDP, an objective in line with European fiscal norms. The proposed reductions amount to a whopping €40 bilion, largely from curbing public spending rather than introducing new taxes[2][4].
- There's talk of holding a referendum on the 2026 budget, demonstrating the gravity of the austerity measures and their overarching impact on the French populace[2][4].
- The 2025 budget draft contemplates substantial cuts to overseas development assistance, with planned reductions of roughly 18-23%, translating to approximately €1.3-€1.5 billion in cuts compared to 2024 levels[3][5]. This move represents a broader divergence of resources, with revenues from financial transaction and solidarity levies shifted from development aid to the general budget[3].
- The overall 2025 public budget expenditure touches €844 bil, with substantial allocations coming from refunds and rebates. The security and defense budgets witnessed moderate increases of 6-7%, despite overall spending cuts in other areas[1][5].
All in all, Bayrou's daring seizing of Article 49.3 allowed the French government to roll out a stringent budget plan designed to tame the deficit. The plan includes sweeping spending cuts, notably to development aid, and ponders broader democratic consultation via a possible referendum to rally public opinion towards these austerity measures[2][3][4][5].
- In light of the recent events, it appears that the French government is employing a strict policy-and-legislation approach, as demonstrated by the implementation of the budget plan using Article 49.3, despite opposition from the Parliament.
- The ongoing political impasse in France, triggered by the budget row, highlights the crucial role of policy-and-legislation in shaping general news and politics, as the fate of the budget may lead to a motion of no confidence and potential government change.
