Three questions on the motion of censure that the LFI and RN deputies will table

The threat of censorship is becoming clearer for the government of Michel Barnier while the Prime Minister has triggered 49.3, the Insoumis have announced that they are filing a motion of censure, just like the RN group.

Prime Minister Michel Barnier took responsibility for his government on the draft Social Security budget (PLFSS) on Monday, December 2, by triggering 49.3. This article of law makes it possible to engage the responsibility of the government and to have a text adopted without a vote. In response, the deputies of La France insoumise (LFI) but also of the National Rally (RN) announced to table a motion of censure.

1 What is a motion of censure?

The motion of censure is the ultimate weapon at the disposal of opposition deputies. Thanks to it, they can reject the text adopted by 49.3, but also overthrow the government, that is to say push Michel Barnier to submit his resignation to Emmanuel Macron. In any case, this is what Article 50 of the Constitution provides. “The motion of censure is the main means of control of the government by the National Assembly. When the National Assembly passes a motion of censure, the government must resign”summarizes the Public Life site.

2 When should they be filed?

MPs must file a motion of censure within 24 hours after using 49.3. In this case, they must therefore submit it before Tuesday, December 3 afternoon. This text must be signed by at least one tenth of the members of the National Assembly, or 58 deputies. This will not pose any difficulties for groups which have more than a hundred elected officials such as the New Popular Front or the RN which has also announced to table its own motion of censure.

3 When will they be voted on?

The vote will not take place immediately. It must take place 48 hours after the submission of the motion of censure. To be adopted, the motion of censure must be voted for by an absolute majority of deputies, i.e. 289 votes. This has only happened once since the creation of the Fifth Republic, it was in 1962. Georges Pompidou was Prime Minister and had seen his resignation refused by President Charles de Gaulle who had chosen to dissolve the National Assembly . Since that day, due to lack of sufficient votes and despite the number of motions tabled, none has been adopted. Since the dissolution last June, the cards have been reshuffled and for the first time in a very long time a motion of censure is therefore able to be adopted if the different oppositions agree to vote on it together.