Watch the debates live on the motion of censure of Michel Barnier’s government in this article and live on X and on our YouTube channel from 6:30 p.m.!
19h00
The president of the Union of Rights for the Republic (UDR) group Éric Ciotti speaks. He begins his speech by denouncing a “ budget socialists », under the boos of the left and the applause of the parliamentarians of the National Rally.
« Unlike others on these benches, we decided to give you a chance, despite Mr. Bertrand’s call to vote LFI, despite Mr. Philippe’s call to vote communist, despite the agreement of shame in second round of legislative elections », thunders the deputy for Alpes-Maritimes. Éric Ciotti focuses on public spending and denounces a budget “ anti-business », “anti-economy”, “ a budget that refuses to tackle crazy immigration spending ». « Your text imposes on France an exit from History through the back door », Declares the president of the UDR to Michel Barnier.
Eric Ciotti ironically about the invention of the tax on bottled water which was debated during the budget and frontally attacks his former political family, The Republicans, on his renunciations.
17h50
“For the first time since 1962, a government risks being overthrown. » declares Laurent Wauquiez, president of the Les Républicains group, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. He emphasizes the responsibility incumbent on each MP in the face of this historic moment: “There are only two choices: the interest of the country or the interest of the parties. »
Directly questioning the head of the RN group, he continues: “Can our country afford the luxury of weeks of government instability? » Laurent Wauquiez warns of the consequences of a motion of censure adopted without a clear fallback plan. “We cannot lie to the French and say that the motion of censure will not have consequences, including an increase in income tax. »
Turning to Marine Le Pen, he castigates her role in this crisis: “Marine Le Pen, the French will pay for the inconsistency of your thoughtlessness. » He summarizes the dangers of such an approach: “Censorship is uncertainty. » And to add, in a clear warning: “The French will remember those who lit the fuse. »
For Wauquiez, the situation requires stability: “A country needs stability and a budget. » He accuses the RN of risking political paralysis: “You are about to open Pandora’s box. » Pointing out the absence of a concrete solution, he adds: “You are proposing blocking without a solution. There cannot be new legislative elections before the summer. »
It also highlights the strategic alignment between the RN and LFI: “Without your votes, Madame Le Pen, France Insoumise could do nothing. » Although he states: “Madame Le Pen, I have never been one of those who demonize you. » (under the laughter of the RN group)he firmly concludes: “The French will judge you harshly. »
17h30
Marine Le Pen spoke from the podium: “To all those who suffer and despair, I want to say: the time of recovery is approaching. The great alternation will come, and with it, the hope that France is waiting for. »
The head of the National Rally (RN) justified her vote in favor of the motion of censure by criticizing the government for not having supported a reasonable part of the budgetary measures proposed by her group. She mentioned the three priorities she had put forward: immigration, purchasing power and security. According to her, the government only gave her crumbs:
“A budget that has neither direction nor vision, a technocratic budget. »
Out of respect for the institutions, she declared not to request the dismissal of the President of the Republic, leaving that to the « what guevaristes de carnaval » who, in his words, “will recognize each other”.
Concerning her one-off alliance with the New Popular Front (NFP), she was keen to clarify:
“A simple tool to avoid the application of a toxic budget. Unlike what you did last June, we never consider them as allies. »
Finally, she criticized the games of party alliances in the National Assembly:
“If so many rebellious deputies sit on these benches, it is thanks to the withdrawal of the Macronist and LR candidates. And if so many Macronist and LR deputies sit on these benches, it is thanks to the withdrawal of the rebels. (…) Isn’t that right, Mr. Wauquiez? »
16h
This Wednesday, December 4, the National Assembly will debate and vote on two motions of censure, tabled in reaction to Michel Barnier’s use of article 49.3 to have the Social Security finance bill (PLFSS) adopted. The first motion of censure comes from the New Popular Front, while the second is carried by the National Rally.
For a motion to be adopted and cause the fall of the government, a minimum of 289 votes is necessary. If this threshold is reached, Michel Barnier will have to submit his resignation to Emmanuel Macron.
More than 2.5 hours of debate are expected before a solemn vote, which will exceptionally be held outside the hemicycle, around 7:45 p.m. The counting will be followed by the announcement of the results by Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly.
