Elisabeth Borne. It was under boos and criticism from the opposition that Elisabeth Borne announced the use of 49.3 to adopt the pension reform. The video of the surreal scene at the National Assembly.
Is 49.3 too much for Elisabeth Borne? If the previous ten had not pleased the opposition, it was under an unprecedented bronca that the Prime Minister took the lectern of the National Assembly to announce the use of the parliamentary weapon and force the adoption of the pension reform, this Thursday, March 16. After having defended to the end (or almost) the legislative route and the use of the vote of the deputies, Elisabeth Borne and Emmanuel Macron changed their minds only a few hours before the examination of the bill at the Palais Bourbon. And this despite the many risks and criticisms to which they are exposed. The Prime Minister and the Head of State, however, seem to think that 49.3 is the only possible solution in the face of “too great financial and economic risks” and to Elisabeth Borne to assure that she is ready to be a “fuse” for the adoption of the pension reform.
The decision of the tenant of Matignon is instead of the opinions of opposition deputies who denounced “democratic denial” and “institutional violence”. But if the recourse seems to be a necessary evil in the eyes of Elisabeth Bore, it could cost her dearly, because it is now her role as head of government which is called into question. The Assembly must decide this Monday, March 20 by voting the motions of censure tabled by the opposition against 49.3. Texts that voted would lead to the rejection of the pension reform and the forced resignation of the Prime Minister and her government. Whatever the outcome of these votes, Elisabeth Borne already appears weakened as Prime Minister after having failed in the mission entrusted to her and which she had repeatedly stated as her main objective: to gather a majority on the reform. retirements.
Also criticized the use of 49.3 is it, the Prime Minister fully assumes her decision. And this Thursday evening, guest of the 20 Hours of TF1, she again defended her position and tried to convince of its merits. After her brief but noticeable stint in the National Assembly and a meeting with Renaissance deputies, the head of government declared that “[her] personal situation will never cause [him] to make a decision contrary to the interest of [his] country” according to comments reported by LCI. Implying that the risk of being pushed out is not enough of a threat to make her back down from defending pension reform despite popular opposition.
Elisabeth Borne’s speech in the National Assembly was also the means for politics to claim its decision, presenting it as a choice imposed by the opposition despite the efforts of the majority which “always sought compromises”. A point that is far from reaching consensus with the opposition and the unions. Finally, attacked on the fact of depriving the Assembly of votes, Elisabeth Borne allowed herself a touch of irony assuring that a “vote will therefore take place, as it should. And it is therefore parliamentary democracy that will have the last word.”
Before unfolding her speech, Elisabeth Borne was greeted with boos and a din rarely seen in the hemicycle. Attempting to announce the use of 49.3, the Prime Minister was silenced for several minutes in front of the deputies of La France insoumise who, brandishing signs “64 years old, it’s no!”, sang La Marseillaise. Elisabeth Borne resumed, or rather started, after a suspension of the session and in the most total noise, under the boos of many and the few applause of the majority.
Who says 49.3, says motion of censure, in particular on the pension reform which arouses so much opposition and anger. Three motions should be tabled but only one really has a chance of succeeding: the transpartisan text carried by the centrist group Liot and supported by other left-wing deputies. “We will create all the conditions so that [the censure motion] receives as much support as possible. We want it to be defended by the Liot group so that it receives the most support. For our part, we will support it” , assured Fabien Roussel, this Thursday, March 16.
But to lead to the rejection of the pension reform and the resignation of the government, a motion of censure must obtain an absolute majority of votes in the National Assembly. And for that, all the oppositions (RN, Nupes, centrists and non-registered) must join forces, but the rallying of several Republican deputies is also necessary. However, there is hope because several right-wing elected officials have indicated that they are considering the possible vote of the transpartisan motion.
