Spending power and how to finance it: This week in French politics

Much of this week's discussions in the French Parliament will be centred around two bills aimed at boosting spending power as the war in Ukraine continues.

The bills have been brought by MPs of the Ensemble ! coalition, which includes President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party (formerly La République en Marche).

It comes as President Macron warned that the “war in Ukraine will last” and that Russia cutting gas supply to western Europe was a “probable” scenario, during an interview on July 14.

Read more: Ukraine, energy, pensions: Key points of Macron’s July 14 interview

Here is a round-up of the key points for the week ahead.

Assemblée nationale

Tuesday, July 19

• Hundreds of amendments to the spending power bill will be studied during public sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

The bill contains 20 proposals intended to “protect French people's standard of living”, “protect the consumer” and enable sovereignty over energy supplies. The proposals include increases to French pensions and social benefits, as well as support with food costs for low-income households.

The bill was brought by Nord MP Charlotte Parmentier-Lecocq (Renaissance), Saône-et-Loire 5th district MP Louis Margueritte (Renaissance), Charente 2nd district MP Sandra Marsaud (Renaissance) and Hauts-de-Seine 13th district MP Maud Bregeon (Renaissance.)

Read more: Recap: France's nine measures to boost residents' spending power

Wednesday, July 20

• Several directors from associations, companies and unions involved in the energy sector will speak about the challenges surrounding “energy restraint”, a new policy that the government has proposed to reduce business and individual consumption.

The commission will hear from representatives of the Association française du gaz, the Usages et territoires service, the Union française de l'électricité and the Syndicat des énergies renouvelables.

President Emmanuel Macron and the CEOs of France’s three main energy companies recently called for immediate action to cut back on energy consumption. Finance minister Bruno Le Maire also said France could face an energy shortage later this year.

Read more: France is at risk of energy shortages and rationing, says minister

Read more: French energy companies call for immediate action to cut back on usage

Thursday, July 21

• MPs will discuss the ‘projet de loi de finances rectificative’ (PLFR), a bill that looks to bring modifications and changes to France’s annual budget. It is understood to work hand-in-hand with the spending power bill.

The PLFR hopes to explore new ressources to contain the inflation and protect spending power, taking from €55billion in the state’s resources after an unexpectedly strong 7% growth in 2021.

The discussions will continue on Friday.

It was brought by Gers 1st district MP Jean-René Cazeneuve (Renaissance) and Hauts-de-Seine 5th district MP Céline Calvez (Renaissance.)

Senate

Thursday, July 21
Senators will discuss the bill which aims to allow Finland and Sweden to become members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), as part of an accelerated procedure triggered by the war in Ukraine.

Read more: Macron talks of a new European community and hints that UK could join

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