It’s done: 331 deputies voted for the motion of censure against the government of Michel Barnier, this Wednesday, December 4, 2024. The Prime Minister must now present his resignation to the President of the Republic.
Follow our live stream on the overthrow of the Barnier government
Appointed only three months ago, on September 5, Michel Barnier became the most ephemeral head of government of the Ve Republic. During these 90 days, many announcements were made. But, in practice, very few measures could be adopted. So what can we learn from this Barnier government?
Few measures implemented in three months
Most of the political debate in Parliament focused on budget votes, so the government had little opportunity to legislate during these few weeks.
We can, however, note the advanced increase in the minimum wage, announced during Michel Barnier’s general policy speech. The 2% increase in the minimum wage, which was planned for 1is January, was put in place on 1is November, going from €1,399 net in October to €1,426.
Another announcement made during the October speech: the abandonment of the controversial constitutional reform in New Caledonia, which planned to expand the electorate.
The text provoked strong protest in the territory. The separatists accused the State of wanting to minimize the indigenous Kanak people. Faced with the mobilization, Emmanuel Macron suspended the reform in June.
Security, anger of farmers… Announcements that remain pending
What now about “major projects” announced by Michel Barnier during his general policy speech?
On the budget and the reduction of the debt, a priority of the Prime Minister but which crystallized tensions and led to the motion of censure, it is difficult to see how the text which planned to drastically reduce spending and reduce the deficit to 5% in 2025 , will be taken over as is by the future government.
On security, announcements have multiplied. With in particular a major plan to combat drug trafficking, supported by the Ministers of the Interior Bruno Retailleau and of Justice Didier Migaud. The latter wanted a “true national prosecutor’s office” and envisaged the trial of crimes in gangs organized by special assize courts. Bruno Retailleau had mentioned new means to improve investigation techniques, drawing inspiration from those used against terrorism.
But with the motion of censure and the fall of the government, there is total uncertainty: it is impossible to know at the moment whether these measures will be on the program of the future government.
Same thing for what had been planned in terms of the fight against violence against women – increase in the budget devoted to universal emergency aid, reimbursement of chemical submission detection kits – or for the new immigration law, which was to be presented in 2025.
This is also a big blur for the promises made to farmers aimed at calming anger and putting an end to the mobilizations which have been held throughout France in recent days.
Not everything is blocked
If confusion reigns, one thing is certain: there will be no “ shutdown » in the American style, and France is not likely to find itself without a budget for 2025. Whether Emmanuel Macron quickly appoints a new Prime Minister or not, there are in fact emergency procedures, which will ensure at least current affairs.
