Elisabeth Borne used the word “commitment” the most often when she presented her government program to Wednesday’s National Assembly, which is the lower house of France’s Parliament. In May, the president Emmanuel Macron appointed the prime minister. He reminded that no party has an absolute majority after June’s legislative elections. “A relative isn’t and won’t be synonymous with relative action. She warned that it is not and won’t be a sign indicating impotence.
Borne encouraged the opposition to reach compromises in order to implement reforms and be able find solutions for citizens’ problems, including the rise in energy prices and insecurity through the fight against pandemics and the consequences of war in Ukraine. . He stated that disorder and instability were not options in the face of these challenges.
“I want us all to come together and give meaning and virtues to the word compromise’ which has been lost in our political lives for too long,” stated the head of Executive in an hour-and-a-half speech that was interrupted often and booed repeatedly by the opposition, particularly from the left-wing benches. The prime minister, who is a huge unknown to many French citizens, stated that she was not a woman who ignores challenges. She added that she believes in listening, action, and results.
Borne presented to the deputies the program for the new Cabinet. Borne announced, among others, the increase of teachers’ salaries, measures to attain full employment, fight inflation, and increase the purchasing power for the French.
Borne confirmed that the pension reform postponed due to covid is still on the table. Borne said, “Yes, we will have to work progressively for quite some time.” The Government wants to delay retirement until 65 years. Currently, it is at 62. This is opposed by unions as well as part of the opposition.
Borne, however, did not accept a vote for confidence yesterday, unlike many of his predecessors. He was unable to overcome the National Assembly because Macron’s party and its aides had a relative majority. She was not required to do so by the Constitution. Faced with her refusal, leftist parties – La France Insumisa and Europe Ecology-The Greens, Europe Ecology, The Greens (EELV) and Communist Party – jointly filed a motion for censure.
Jean-Luc Melenchon of the New Popular Ecologist and Social Union (Nupes), stated that if the prime minister had submitted for a vote to confidence, there wouldn’t have been a motion de censure. of the leftist parties in the legislative elections. “Madam Prime minister, you are not capable of asking for a vote of confidence.” It was a good job, I would say, since we don’t have confidence in her government,” Marine Le Pen, a far-right politician, said. Borne was criticised for acting “as though nothing had happened” during the legislative elections in which the government party lost absolute majority.
The National Assembly must vote to censure the motion on Friday or the beginning of next week. The left does not have enough votes, so there is little chance of it succeeding. It would require the support of Marine Le Pen’s far-right party and the moderate right. However, National Regrouping and the Republicans have already denied this. Borne will not change his position, except for surprise.
