The budget discussion deadline was very tight, so the executive decided to shorten it further. Although deputies have just resumed their examination of the Finance Bill, they were unable to continue the process this weekend as planned. The National Assembly will not convene for two days, the government announced on Thursday evening, November 13. Enough to threaten a vote on the revenue share, originally planned for Monday.
“According to the speed we move it is clear that on Monday we will not complete those 1,900 amendments” remaining on this first part, announced shortly before midnight Thursday the Minister for Relations with Parliament, Laurent Panifous. Despite everything, the decision was made to reduce two working days. “We also have to take into account the fatigue that exists among deputies, among employees, among administrators” The assembly, he added in the hemicycle, mentioned that he had done so “arrested” by several groups regarding this issue.
Leftist elected officials are out of their depth. Choice “not acceptable”criticized the deputy leader of environmental activists, Cyrielle Chatelain. He considered this to be a government maneuver to ensure that “This assembly cannot decide on the budget”. “Don’t use someone’s tiredness as an excuse” For “preventing us from being able to vote on the state budget”added La France insoumise coordinator, Manuel Bompard.
LFI said it had submitted 15% of its amendments and was ready to withdraw more to reach the final goal. The socialists will also continue “for the wholesale withdrawal of amendments” so the National Assembly can “choose”MP Philippe Brun said, saying he regretted the government’s decision.
Because time is running out: the entire text must be submitted to the Senate by November 23 at midnight, in line with the constitutional deadline. If it becomes clear that the deputies do not have time to reach a final result, a vote on revenue alone is also not guaranteed.
But deputies from National Rally, LR, Renaissance (the president’s camp) and Liot’s independent group played the opposite score the previous night. By asking for a break this weekend. “In my opinion, we started working in bad conditions”launched deputy RN Jean-Philippe Tanguy.
The state budget overhaul, which began three weeks ago, stalled for nine days devoted to the Social Security budget, ending shortly after Wednesday’s vote to “postpone” 2023 pension reform. But the audit of the text could not be completed.
And even if all the amendments adopted in the Social Security budget were submitted to the Senate under articles that could have been vetted, certain groups and the administration are accused of improving the situation. One Renaissance executive even admitted this: “Facing the horror of a vote (in the APBN), we are not interested in holding a vote.”
The executive also suffered a setback soon after the debate resumed on Thursday morning: deputies defended a 10% tax reduction for pension funds, the abolition of which would result in significant savings. There are still many taxes to be examined, including taxes on small amounts, which are attracting particular attention as the controversy surrounding Shein’s corporate giant sparks public debate. Or the increase in stamp duty for obtaining a residence permit, criticized by the left.
The deputies have taken the most symbolic steps, especially regarding the taxation of the richest people. The left failed to get through “Zucman Tax”however several taxes targeting multinational companies or superdividends have been selected. Enough to anger the government camp, which again held back “tax madness”.
