Social Security Budget: RN denounces the end of negotiations and raises the risk of censure

Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen speak out on the breakdown of discussions

Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally (RN), published a message on his X account on Sunday, December 1, stating that the government led by Michel Barnier has put an “end to the cycle of negotiations” with the RN. These remarks come as the threat of a censure motion from RN deputies becomes increasingly clear. Marine Le Pen, leader of RN deputies in the National Assembly, said on Saturday that this situation was not “inevitable,” but told AFP on Sunday that the government “has put an end to the discussion” regarding potential changes to the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS).

RN accuses government stubbornness

In a message posted on X, Jordan Bardella criticized the “government minority,” which he claims, through “stubbornness and sectarianism,” has ended the cycle of negotiations, “at the risk of provoking its censure.” This statement highlights the growing tension between the government and the RN over budget discussions.

A response from the government

For its part, Michel Barnier’s office denied shutting the door to dialogue, stating to BFMTV that the government “remains open to dialogue as it has been from the start.” Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister of Public Accounts, also said in Le Parisien that the PLFSS “is no longer the government’s but the result of a parliamentary compromise between deputies and senators through a conclusive mixed commission,” a process that had not happened for fifteen years on a budget.

The RN’s “red lines”

For the RN, certain provisions of the budget, such as the partial de-indexing of pensions from inflation, represent “absolute red lines.” Jean-Philippe Tanguy, deputy group president of the RN in the Assembly, reaffirmed the importance of these points as unacceptable.

Towards the use of article 49.3?

In the absence of a clear majority in the Assembly, Michel Barnier could consider using Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass the budget without a vote from the deputies. This option would expose the government to a censure motion, and the RN has already expressed its intention to support such an initiative.