No-show MPs may face fines

MPS who are repeatedly absent from the National Assembly may face financial penalties.

Secretary of state charged with parliamentary relations Roger Karoutchi announced he would like to see “financial sanctions applied in the case of repeated absences” as is provided for in Assembly and Senate regulations.

His announcement came following the rejection of the “Hadopi” law last Thursday, which would have brought in new measures against illegal downloading however was rejected by the assembly in a surprise vote of 21 against 15.

STORY:Internet users joy at law failure

The rejection was because of the small number of MPs who were in the house due to the impending start of parliamentary holidays.

Yesterday, in an interview with Le Figaro, UMP president in the National Assembly Jean-François Copé said he was “first at fault” for the lack of MPs.

He said financial sanctions could be used “as an extreme measure.”

He added: “We need to tackle this matter without any taboos.”

UMP deputies will meet on April 28 to discuss their organisation in the assembly.

Copé said opposition Socialist Party “must know that on April 28 they will see a completely mobilised UMP majority once again.”

Photo:Afp