The idea of ​​a referendum on the budget, mentioned by François Bayrou, welcomed with circumspection on the left and on the right

The idea of ​​a referendum on “An overall plan” Reduction of deficits advanced by François Bayrou, whose government seeks to achieve 40 billion euros in savings next year, was welcomed with circumspection, Sunday, May 4, by the entire French political spectrum.

“When we reform by the classic ways, by the passage in force, what happens? The country goes on strike, the demonstrations are linked “pleaded the Prime Minister in the columns of Sunday newspaper.

“There is no need for referendum to find out that the French have enough tax increases. And the only thing that is asked of the Prime Minister is to finally have the courage to tackle the waste of public money ”reacted to France 3 Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the Les Républicains deputies, whose training nevertheless participates in the government coalition. “We have a prime minister who procrastinates, who just seeks to save time and who does not decide”he added.

The national coordinator of France Insoumise (LFI), Manuel Bompard, questioned on Sunday on LCI, judged the idea of ​​Mr. Bayrou “Wacky”. “What question will you ask people?” Are you going to submit a budget project to them, you will ask them if they are for or against? But then, who will have developed this draft budget, Mr. Bayrou himself? You can see that it is not democratic in general “he commented.

“A technically fuel and politically questionable idea”abounded on X the deputy (LFI) Eric Coquerel, president of the finance committee of the National Assembly. “The executive cannot go around the national representation longer. »»

Prerogative of the President of the Republic

Aurore Bergé, minister responsible for gender equality and member of the Renaissance presidential party, does not see however in the proposal “Obviously a way of getting around the Parliament”. “It would depend on the question that would be asked”she said on RTL and M6.

The support of the socialists seems, moreover, still far from being acquired. Their first secretary, Olivier Faure, thus judged the idea “Fairly wacky”calling for a referendum on pensions. “I fear that it is a smoke screen and that it is very difficult to vote by yes or no to a draft budget which engages all sectors, from defense to education, passing by everything that a budget includes, that is to say the life of the nation”he argued on BFM-TV.

The fact remains that the prerogative to request their opinion from the French by referendum belongs to the President of the Republic, who had been warned of the release of this interview. “The Prime Minister evokes a plan of reforms and savings, and it is difficult to say anything until this plan is presented”soberly commented on a relative of Emmanuel Macron interviewed Sunday by the France-Presse agency.

The referendum as sketched by François Bayrou would be the first in the Vᵉ Republic to focus on budgetary issues. The French were consulted for the last time in 2005, on the ratification of the treaty establishing a constitution for Europe. The “no” had won, but a new treaty, known as “de Lisbon”, was finally approved by the European Council in 2007.