Against the advice of the government, the National Assembly adopted Thursday, May 4 in second reading a text to “protect EDF from dismemberment”, which also intends to expand the number of companies and communities benefiting from regulated electricity tariffs .
In a tense atmosphere, the bill, carried by the left and supported by right and RN, was validated by 127 votes against 89, and one abstention. The ballot was held after long hours of debate and a series of adjournments, perceived by the left as so many “manoeuvres” and attempts to “obstruction” of the presidential camp.
The text had already been adopted for the first time by the Assembly and then the Senate. The upper house had however deleted its article 1, which was to allow the “nationalization of EDF” to be included in the law. “The word no longer appears there but that changes absolutely nothing,” said Thursday PS deputy Philippe Brun, author of the text examined during a “niche” of the communist group.
The right-wing dominated Senate, on the other hand, proposed to fix in law the fact that EDF is a public limited company “of national interest”, whose capital is “100% owned by the State”, which the Assembly retained. By an amendment from Philippe Brun, however, it is planned to open up at least “1.50%” of the capital to employees and certain former employees. The government argues that it is already leading a nationalization of EDF, the state holding at this stage “96% of the capital”, according to the Minister of Industry Roland Lescure. The takeover bid must be finalized, after a favorable decision by the Paris Court of Appeal on Tuesday.
Philippe Brun, like his communist co-rapporteur Sébastien Jumel, also insisted on including in the law a list of “missions” carried out by EDF: production, transport, distribution… Their goal: to prevent the executive from resuscitating “Hercules », a controversial restructuring project. “Hercules is dead and buried,” repeated Roland Lescure. “Why are you afraid to enshrine it in law?” retorted Patrick Hetzel (LR).
Majority and Minister argue that this list of missions is likely to create heaviness in the management of EDF, or even prevent future restructuring. “It’s an article that restricts EDF in its activity”, retorted Jean-René Cazeneuve (Renaissance), which Philippe Brun refuted. Concerning the regulated tariffs for the sale of electricity, the deputies extended the benefit to SMEs, while the Senate had restricted it to VSEs, targeting in particular artisan bakers. Roland Lescure protested against the cost of the measure, 11 billion euros, highlighting the aid in place. The deputies also added among the beneficiaries communities of less than 50,000 inhabitants, on a proposal from LR. The parliamentary shuttle must continue with the Senate, and the left hopes for a conforming vote quickly.
