Alexis Delafontaine 10:25 a.m., January 24, 2023

The debate on pensions has not yet arrived at the Bourbon palace that it already promises to be agitated.

After the Communists, Marine Le Pen announces in turn, to file a referendum motion against the pension reform.

Never in the history of the Fifth Republic has this tool resulted in a referendum.

But what is this article for?

Decryption.

To push through the pension reform, the government could use Articles 49.3 and 47.1.

On the opposition side, another solution is being suggested: the referendum motion.

What is it ?

It is a parliamentary tool that interrupts the debates provided that the bill can be the subject of a referendum in conformity with the Constitution.

If necessary, the National Assembly should first decide on the relevance of this referendum.

For this, all the opposition, the Nupes, the National Rally (RN) and the Republicans (LR) would have to be in favor of it.

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A referendum that can succeed?

Once this step is over, the text should then be validated by the Senate.

After the green light from both chambers, it would be up to the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, to accept or not to present the pension reform by referendum to the French.

Suffice to say that such a referendum motion today has no chance of succeeding.