State and Social Security Budget: François Bayrou Survives Censure, Assembly Passes the Bills

On Wednesday, February 5, the National Assembly rejected a first motion of censure filed by La France Insoumise (LFI) against François Bayrou’s government following his use of Article 49.3 on the finance bill. With only 128 votes in favor—far from the 288 required—the state budget was approved and will now be examined by the Senate, where its adoption is considered a mere formality.

Shortly after, a second motion of censure, this time against the use of 49.3 on the first part of the Social Security budget, was debated. The Greens, LFI, and the Communist Party supported the motion, while the Socialist Party, despite criticizing the budget, refused to vote for censure in the name of the “general interest.” However, six Socialist MPs defied the party’s stance by supporting the motion.

A Budget Passed Despite Criticism

During his speech to MPs, François Bayrou defended the budget as “imperfect” but necessary. “Our country cannot function without a budget, as everyone has acknowledged in this chamber,” he declared, while promising a “reconstruction” of the budget for next year.

Meanwhile, government spokesperson Sophie Primas announced that if the second motion of censure fails, the Prime Minister will again invoke Article 49.3 for the remaining sections of the Social Security budget. The government aims to have the budget fully enacted “by the end of February.”

A Divided Political Landscape

The rejection of the censure motions highlighted deep divisions within the opposition. The Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP) appeared weakened by the Socialist Party’s refusal to back censure, with internal disagreements surfacing. Additionally, the Socialists plan to file a new motion of censure in response to François Bayrou’s controversial remarks about a supposed “feeling of migration submersion,” which have sparked strong criticism.

Despite the ongoing tensions and widespread criticism of the budget’s content, François Bayrou has strengthened his position. The rejection of the censure motions allows him to move forward, with full budget adoption expected in the coming weeks.