debate in the National Assembly stalled due to lack of time, the amended text was sent to the Senate

Left-wing groups raised the number of order points at the end of the session to call for extended debate, but to no avail. “It is impossible to reduce the deadlines available to the Senate without undermining its procedures,” said Minister responsible for Relations with Parliament Laurent Panifous.

“Prolonging our debate (…) will only harm parliamentary activities”said Minister responsible for Relations with Parliament Laurent Panifous. Despite some twenty days of debate, and after voting on several amendments bringing important measures such as the suspension of pension reform, debate on the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS) stalled in the National Assembly due to lack of time, on the evening of Wednesday 12 to Thursday 13 November.

Members of the European Parliament failed to study all proposed amendments in time. Pursuant to article 47-1 of the Constitution, the government has decided to submit to the Senate the text submitted by the government at the Council of Ministers, amended by amendments voted on by the Assembly, said Laurent Panifous. The amended text was therefore sent to the upper house without a vote, under protests from some on the left who insisted on continuing the debate, and increased the number of orders to this effect as the midnight deadline approached.

“I remind you that constitutional jurisprudence is very clear: it is impossible to reduce the term limits available to the Senate without undermining its procedures”warned Laurent Panifous at the end of the debate. “You have examined a large number of amendments, more than 1,600 have been submitted and you have debated for more than 67 hours, almost twice as long as last year”reminded MPs about the Minister responsible for Relations with Parliament. The Senate’s hearing of the PLFSS should begin in committee later this week.