Right-wing and left-wing censure motions against the government and its use of 49-3 to push through pension reform did not find favor with deputies. They were rejected without surprise Tuesday March 4 in the evening by the National Assembly which adopted the controversial reform at first reading.

The motion of the group Les Républicains (LR) received 148 votes and that of the three left groups (PCF, PS and LFI) 91 votes, far from the absolute majority of 289 votes needed to bring down a government. Only votes in favor of the motion are counted.

The Prime Minister had denounced earlier in the gallery the "procedural tricks" wielded by the left of the left to make "obstruction" on this emblematic project aimed at creating a "universal" point system.

After 13 days of an extraordinary journey to the Assembly at first reading, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe had signed on Saturday the end of the game with the surprise use of 49-3, this constitutional tool allowing the text to be adopted without voting , engaging government responsibility.

Immediately, LR and the three left groups had tabled their motions.

The leader of the LR deputies, Damien Abad, criticized on Tuesday an "unprecedented parliamentary fiasco" on a reform which will make the French the "big losers". The rebels in particular supported this motion to "say no to the government", despite a "complete disagreement" with the right on the merits, explained François Ruffin.

Defending the left motion, the communist André Chassaigne castigated a "democratic disaster" with the use of the "fatal" weapon of 49-3 which "completes the chronicle of the fiasco announced of this reform".

"Calembredaines"

"You have fractured the country", added socialist Valérie Rabault, while Jean-Luc Mélenchon (La France insoumise) tackled a 49-3 "decided slyly", promising the continuation of a "popular and parliamentary guerilla, peaceful" . The National Gathering of Marine Le Pen supported the left motion, but not the right one, to express its opposition to the postponement to 65 of the retirement age.

Gilles Le Gendre (LREM) launched under hoots to the left of the left, behind thousands of amendments: "Le 49-3, c'est vous!" The Prime Minister insisted on a reform of "social justice": "those who defend the status quo (...) tell far too often Calembredaines".

Refusing any "coup", he observed that it would have taken "eight weeks", including weekends, to reach the end.

Having a minority that "systematically blocks substantive issues" is not to "honor parliamentary debate", added Édouard Philippe, touting a "compromise text" with the integration of 180 amendments from the various benches and discussions with the social partners.

"The majority reaffirms its frank and massive support for the government," said several "walkers" after the rejection of the motions.

"No violence"

In the street, opponents of the reform, mobilized since December 5, continue the fight: they demonstrated again Tuesday in Paris and in the provinces against this "passage in force". Within the sparse processions, the slogans proclaimed "Macron traitor and pensions" or "49-3, we don't want it".

Among lawyers, one of the professions most hostile to reform, the Paris bar voted to continue the strike "until Wednesday, March 25 inclusive".

The sequence takes place in an already tense climate for the executive, between coronavirus and municipal elections. Internally, the majority are also faced with a challenge of cohesion, with drop-outs that continue. The still related deputy LREM Albane Gaillot also voted the censure motion of the left to protest against the 49-3.

The deputies have on the menu from Wednesday the organic bill accompanying the reform and subject to 1,800 amendments. The reform will then continue its course in the right-wing majority Senate in April, before returning to the Assembly, the government still aiming for final adoption before the summer. Meanwhile, the conclusions of the "financing conference" are awaited, the CGT and FO of which closed the door.

like Jean-Luc Mélenchon who does not want "any violence", several elected officials called not to "stir up" anger, while since Saturday several offices and campaign premises have been targeted, including those of the Prime Minister in Le Havre , where he is running for his old town hall.

With AFP

The France 24 week summary invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Download the app

google-play-badge_FR