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The French National Assembly approved Tuesday, July 23, the ratification of the controversial free trade treaty between the European Union and Canada (Ceta), by 266 votes against 213, and 74 abstentions, despite a record of disputes within the group Larem.
Never before has a text generated so many disputes within the presidential majority. Although the majority of the deputies in Marche did indeed vote for the ratification of Ceta , 52 abstained and 9 others voted against the text, like the left and the republican right.
A few hours earlier in a group meeting, the Prime Minister himself had tried to remove doubts and even warned (according to one participant) against possible " consequences of a vote that would not be aligned ." Threats that have obviously not discouraged the most fervent opponents of this free trade treaty in the majority.
Monday, July 22, the former Minister of Ecology Nicolas Hulot had on his side called the parliamentarians to " have the courage to say no " in the face of a treaty he considers dangerous. " A ratification would go in the right direction, " said President Macron who had reaffirmed the need for this text to be " implemented ".
The green light of the Assembly is therefore acquired. Now remains a new uncertainty, the ratification of the treaty by the Senate majority right next fall.
Canada said it was "happy"
" We are pleased that the French National Assembly has approved the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement ," a spokesman for Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of International Trade, told AFP. " The government will continue to work with all EU member states to promote the benefits of the Agreement and the diversification of trade for the people of Canada and the EU, " she added.
► See also: Ceta: which countries have already ratified the EU-Canada agreement?