On the eve of the vote on the texts rejecting the left and the RN, the Prime Minister, more on borrowed time than ever, tried one last time this Tuesday evening to convince the oppositions not to overthrow the government.
Michel Barnier plays his all. On the eve of the vote in the Assembly on the motions of censure tabled by the National Rally (RN) and the left, in response to 49.3 triggered Monday on the Social Security budget, the Prime Minister is still trying to prevent the fall of the government. However, its end of lease seems inevitable given the desire of Marine Le Pen, leader of the RN deputies, to mix the voices of her troops with those of the left. Despite the series of concessions from the Savoyard on the non-increase of the tax on electricity prices, the reduction “sensible» of the care basket of the AME (state medical aid) or the reimbursement of medicines, nothing has done: the elected official from Pas-de-Calais, who has long taken care not to reveal her intentions in the matter, decided to press the button.
Despite the almost announced overthrow of his team, the Prime Minister wanted to call the French to witness by inviting himself this Tuesday evening to “8 p.m.” on TF1 and France 2. Then the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron said, in margin of his visit to Saudi Arabia, “not believe in the vote of censorship”claiming to do “trust in the coherence of people”, Michel Barnier immediately expressed his desire to remain in his post. And to warn: “If the motion passes, everything will be difficult, and everything will be more serious”. Le Figaro summarizes what you need to remember from the Prime Minister's prime time interview.
Barnier calls for the “reflex of responsibility” of MPs
Threatened with being overthrown by the two opposition blocs, Michel Barnier said “to wish» that a motion of censure is not adopted against him. “It’s possible”he hoped, returning the ball to the “deputies who each have a share of responsibility, a reflex before the French.” “The best interests of the country mean something. It's not a question of political survival.” lashed out at the Prime Minister in front of Gilles Bouleau and Anne-Sophie Lapix.
“It goes far beyond my only condition”
Without a clear majority since the early legislative elections, which fractured the Lower House like never before, the head of government recalled that he was facing “a fragile and ephemeral situation.” Faced with this parliamentary puzzle, Michel Barnier wanted to display a certain level of perspective. “The gilding, the official cars, the gold of the Republic, that's not the subject, it's not me who's at fault. What is happening goes far beyond my sole condition.” he insisted. According to the Prime Minister, “a motion of censure is not a vote for or against Barnier. It’s a vote on a text.” A way of denouncing the respective strategies of the nationalist right and the New Popular Front, which would lead to “chaos“. Which is the opposite of what the French would like.
Le Pen tried to “enter into a sort of bargain”
While Marine Le Pen had urged Michel Barnier to respect the “red lines” of the RN under penalty of being overthrown by its deputies, engaging in delicate negotiations with Matignon, the Prime Minister judged that the former presidential candidate wanted “enter into a sort of bargain”. Ensuring that “there was listening and respect.” “I am not negotiating, I listened (…) We listened to everyone and we made progress, progress on many points. Just yesterday morning, on the delisting of medicines,” he thundered.
The opportunity to put the party to the fire in the face of its contradictions on its vote on the NFP text. “Since Madame Le Pen wants respect, will RN voters feel respected? In the editorial (from the motion)you can read there: “We made the choice of the dam to the extreme right”, “the Prime Minister gave in to their vilest obsessions”. Is that respect? This text could be voted on by RN deputies. They must know what they are voting for.”the Prime Minister squeaked Tuesday evening. Enough to move the lines within the ranks of the National Rally?
In case of censorship, Barnier warns that income tax will “increase”
Michel Barnier also raised his voice on the consequences of rejecting the budget on Wednesday. If a motion of censure were adopted, «18 millions» of French “would see their income tax increase”. Before detailing: “Others will pay for the first time because we were unable to include the planned reindexation in the finance law. It’s inevitable.” A “instability” who according to him will have “immediately” an impactin interest rates”.
Barnier rules out the possibility of being renamed to Matignon, wondering about the “meaning” of this scenario
In the event that the National Assembly were to overthrow Michel Barnier, the Prime Minister would refuse to be “renowned» in Matignon by Emmanuel Macron. Not even understanding the “sens» of this possibility. “I want to serve, it’s a great honor”he nevertheless concluded.
