Emmanuel Macron has therefore decided: the executive will engage article 49.3 of the Constitution to force through the pension reform. This Thursday, there will be no vote on the bill. Reactions and explanation of the consequences live.
15:24 – The text considered, at this stage, as voted
At this stage, the pension reform is considered adopted unless a motion of censure were to be voted. In this specific case, the text would be rejected and the government would fall. The motion of censure should be voted on Monday.
15:21 – The meeting adjourned
After Elisabeth Borne’s remarks, the session was adjourned. The deputies have until 3 p.m. tomorrow to table a motion of censure.
3:20 p.m. – Elisabeth Borne: “I take responsibility for my government”
Elisabeth Borne: “We cannot take the risk of seeing 175 hours of parliamentary debate collapse, of seeing the compromise built by the two assemblies set aside, we cannot bet on the future, this reform is necessary. Also , because I am attached to our social model and I believe in parliamentary democracy, it is on the text of the parliament that I am ready to engage my responsibility. Also, on the basis of article 49.3 of the Constitution, I engages the responsibility of my government on the entire bill.”
15:15 – Terminal: “if everyone voted according to their conscience, we wouldn’t be here”
Elisabeth Borne begins her remarks by quoting Michel Rocard and adds “that if everyone voted according to their conscience and according to their past positions, we would not be there this afternoon.” The Prime Minister also castigated the attitude of the deputies throughout the debates, in an incessant din.
15:12 – Follow the session live at the Assembly
It is the heckling in the National Assembly, the president of the lower house had to interrupt the session, while the deputies of LFI had started the Marseillaise. Elisabeth Borne went up to the podium, but she could not speak.
15:09 – The Nupes brandish signs and sing the Marseillaise
Action punch of the deputies of the Nupes in the Assembly. When Elisabeth Borne climbed to the podium, the deputies of the left-wing coalition held up a sign with the inscription “64 years old, it’s no!”, singing the Marseillaise. An action however prohibited within the hemicycle.
15:08 – The open session at the Assembly
As planned in the program, the session opened at 3 p.m. at the National Assembly. After a brief interruption for the arrival of the government, the debates will begin.
15:05 – The 49.3 engaged because of “too great uncertainty”
According to a pillar of the majority with the Parisianthe use of 49.3 was approved because of “too much uncertainty. We will not take the risk of putting ourselves in the hands of our political adversaries who had nevertheless committed themselves to the reform.”
14:58 – What happens after the engagement of 49.3?
In a few moments, Elisabeth Borne will present herself to the National Assembly to engage the responsibility of the government before the deputies by triggering article 49.3 of the Constitution. From there, the deputies will have 24 hours to table a motion of censure. It will then be studied at the beginning of next week. If passed, Elisabeth Borne and her government will be overthrown.
14:54 – A council of ministers convened
As expected and in accordance with the Constitution, a Council of Ministers is convened urgently to record the commitment of article 49.3 on the pension reform bill.
14:45 – 49.3 will be engaged!
BFM TV announces that Emmanuel Macron has decided in favor of the commitment of article 49.3 of the Constitution. No vote will therefore be taken on the bill. The government will thus engage its responsibility before the deputies.
14:39 – A council of ministers must be convened for 49.3
If the use of 49.3 is decided, a council of ministers must be convened to act on the use of this constitutional article. Deliberation is required. For this, the ministers must meet. However, this could very quickly be put in place: several ministers are already at the Elysee Palace and the rest of the government could participate either face-to-face or by videoconference.
2:29 p.m. – Final meeting at the Elysée Palace
A new meeting is underway at the Elysée. Around Emmanuel Macron, Elisabeth Borne, Aurore Bergé, other leaders of the political groups of the majority as well as some ministers. This is the final confabulation to settle the question of 49.3 or not.
14:09 – A very very narrow majority obtained?
It’s very tense on the executive side. At midday, and while the negotiations are continuing, the counting of the votes would only make it possible to arrive at a two or three vote advance according to a journalist from the Parisian. The risk could thus not be taken with the action of 49.3.