Macron bill forced through by Valls
PM risks no confidence battle as he forces through controversial economic reforms without need for vote by MPs
FRANCE’S Prime Minister Manuel Valls yesterday forced through controversial economic reforms without putting it to a Parliamentary vote.
Amid fears that Socialist Party rebels and opposition MPs would block economy minister Emmanuel Macron’s bill, Mr Valls invoked the rarely used Constitutional Article 49-3, which allows the government to pass a bill through the Lower House without the consent of MPs.
Article 49-3 has not been invoked for almost a decade.
The bill will now pass straight to the Senate for review, but in theory, the Prime Minister’s decision could prompt a vote of confidence in the French government, if opponents file what is known as a “censure motion” within 24 hours.
Parliamentary experts in France, however, consider it unlikely that such a motion would succeed.
"I won't take a risk with a bill like this which I consider essential for our economy," he told deputies shortly before the vote was due to take place.
Mr Valls defended his decision on TV last night. “I am determined to make France go forward,” he said in an interview on national broadcaster TF1.
“France is in a serious situation, in terms of unemployment and the health of businesses. These reforms will go through with the authority of the government and the President.”
He added: “No one should doubt our determination. We will continue making the necessary reforms right through till 2017.”
Initially the bill had been expected to pass despite opposition, but as the day went on the government became increasingly concerned that it may not enough support.
The major stumbling block the Loi Macron faced in Parliament was the plan to relax Sunday trading rules to allow stores to open 12 Sundays a year instead of the current five, while creating "international tourist zones" in parts of Paris, Nice, Cannes and Deauville - where shops can open every Sunday and stay open until midnight on other days of the week.
Former education minister Benoit Hamon is one of the most high-profile politicians opposed to the plans, while Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo has described Sunday opening as a "backward step for democracy”.
The bill also includes provisions to free up France’s strict employment law, open certain areas of regulated professions to competition, and privatise the airports in Nice and Lyon.
Image: LCI/TF1 Screengrab
