With the adoption of the motion of censure on Wednesday December 4, France no longer has a government. A situation that is at its worst for the country which is going through a social crisis.
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With the vote on the motion of censure, the Barnier government fell and with it, its finance bill. But he continues to ensure what is called “current affairs” until a new Prime Minister is appointed. In the meantime, the texts provide that the resigning government can submit before December 19 a special bill authorizing it to continue to collect existing taxes.
We can reasonably imagine that in this scenario, the oppositions vote for the text so as not to completely paralyze the country, and in this case, we simply extend the current budget from month to month without change. And therefore without taking into account the drift in public finances: the iceberg is getting closer, but the captain can no longer change course.
For the future, it is up to the government that succeeds it to propose a new finance bill which will be debated and must be adopted within 70 days. At the risk of a crisis which would be completely unprecedented.
Also listenBarnier government: anatomy of a predicted fall
A motion of censure in a tense social climate
You don’t have to look far to understand that the social situation is very tense since today, civil servants are on strike. Teachers, railway workers, air traffic controllers, healthcare workers… They are demanding more human and financial resources for the public service.
In recent days, taxi drivers have mobilized, protesting against a reduction in Social Security reimbursement rates for patient transport. Farmers are not left out. After several days of heavy-handed operations, they are planning new demonstrations from the start of next week. The 2025 budget also provided for aid and simplification measures towards them in response to their anger.
Except that this text, like others which were under discussion in the National Assembly as part of the 2025 budget, are no longer relevant. With censorship, these measures are now obsolete and we will have to wait for a new budget presentation to put them back on the agenda and respond to social anger.
Also readMotion of censure in France: “We can think that the government interruption will be brief”