The vote once again took place amid indifference. Monday, October 14, in the afternoon, a sparse National Assembly voted in favor of a motion of prior rejection – 108 votes for and 50 against – on the bill “for settlement of the budget and approval of accounts for 2023”, filed by La France insoumise. This mechanism makes it possible to discard a text even before it is reviewed. A motion voted jointly by the rebels, the National Rally and the other parties of the New Popular Front, while the Republican Right group had planned to vote against this bill after the examination which ultimately did not take place.
For the third consecutive year, the accounts of the French State will therefore not be approved. An anomaly which nevertheless has no legal consequences. In 2022 and 2023, there was a debate around this project which makes it possible to decide on the final amount of revenue and expenditure of the budget for the previous year – which did not prevent its rejection. With the motion tabled by La France insoumise, the deputies were not even able to discuss the text. At a time when the public deficit continues to drift – 5.5% of GDP in 2023 and around 6% expected in 2024 – the lack of importance given to this exercise raises questions.
“Putting accountability back at the heart of public debate”
A little over a month ago, in the columns of L’Express, the former Minister of the Economy, Jean Arthuis, called for awareness on the subject: “I observe that in companies and in associations, we attach importance to accountability, in the form of a balance sheet and an income statement that are readable and intelligible by all stakeholders. In the public sphere, the debate is only focused. on the project for the coming year […] On the other hand, when the time comes for the settlement law and the approval of the accounts, the formal discussion is settled in a few hours, amid general indifference. There is an urgent need to put accountability back at the heart of public debate.”
Monday’s vote obviously represents a sanction for the previous government, especially since the finance bill for 2023 was adopted via article 49.3. He recalls that it would be crucial to focus on the results and not just the announcement effects, whether it concerns the PLF or public policies. A warning for the new executive, as the review of the 2025 budget is due to begin on October 21.