The government spokesperson points out “the incredible responsibility” of the socialists if the left tabled a motion of censure

The government seeks to dissuade the Socialist Party (PS) from voting on a motion of censure by calling it back to its ” responsibility “ former ruling party. This is a way of pressing on increasingly visible divisions within the left.

The government spokesperson, Maud Bregeon, pointed out, Wednesday November 27, “unbelievable responsibility” socialists if the left tabled a motion of censure, urging them to “break away from their bonds” with La France insoumise (LFI).

Michel Barnier also receives on Wednesday evening in Matignon the heads of the socialist parliamentary groups, Boris Vallaud for the National Assembly and Patrick Kanner for the Senate, as part of his consultations with the political groups. The Prime Minister could also try to convince the environmentalists Cyrielle Chatelain for the Assembly and Guillaume Gontard for the Senate, whom he will see in the process.

“The National Rally does not alone hold the key to the final result of the vote on a possible motion of censure. A voice is worth a voice »also supported the government spokesperson after the council of ministers.

“I believe in the spirit of responsibility of the socialist group”affirmed for his part the Minister of the Budget, Laurent Saint-Martin, on France Inter. The PS held “the keys to power for a long time” and he had “between 2012 and 2017 an ability to restore our public accounts” after the subprime crisis, he welcomed.

“Sweep outside your door”

The left parties allied in the New Popular Front (NFP) – PS, LFI, PCF and Ecologists – have promised to table a motion of censure when the Prime Minister uses article 49.3 to allow the adoption of the budget without a vote, being deprived of an absolute majority. However, if the RN joins its votes to those of the left, they will bring down the government.

The prospect of a fall of the government has rekindled divisions within the left, in particular on the follow-up to be given to the hypothetical fall of the Barnier government.

Instead of supporting the NFP candidate for Matignon, Lucie Castets, Boris Vallaud pleaded on Sunday for a dialogue between all parties to “raise the question of the conditions for non-censorship”. The initiative was noticed, even welcomed, by several figures in the executive, but Boris Vallaud only intends to address the subject after the budget.

Socialist deputies left no doubt about their intentions at a group meeting on Wednesday. “It was recorded, by a real, unanimous, absolute consensus, that if there is 49.3 we censor”reported a socialist source. The former President of the Republic and socialist deputy for Corrèze François Hollande justified the censorship by “what is in the budget and the attitude of the government since the start of the debates”.

Patrick Kanner, leader of the socialist senators, shifted responsibility for the situation to the head of state, suggesting that Maud Bregeon “sweep your own door first” because it is Emmanuel Macron, whom she supports, who “dissolved irresponsibly” the National Assembly “in a vengeful whim of a vexed man”. “We will not be hostages of this political situation”where the “common base” of the government of the right and the center “has nothing in common except the name”argued Patrick Kanner on Public Senate.