49.3 and censorship: France sinks into political crisis

France is preparing to plunge into the unknown – while the Barnier government is undoubtedly living its last hours, its last days, less than 3 months after taking office… Without a majority in the National Assembly to vote on financing of social security, the Prime Minister therefore finally chose to activate 49.3 this afternoon, thus engaging the responsibility of his government, at the risk of censorship – immediately announced by the left and which will be supported by the National Rally…Bras de iron –or- political suicide announced? A “moment of truth”, pleaded Michel Barnier from the perch of the Assembly. With Stéphane Zumsteeg, director of the politics and opinion department at the Ipsos Institute.