French PM warns to pass budget without vote from lawmakers

POLITICAL uncertainty is again looming in France after Prime Minister Francois Bayrou warned that he would use special executive powers this week to get his budget approved without a vote by lawmakers.

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The move is expected to trigger a motion of no confidence. Depending on whether political forces across the political board join forces, this could lead to Bayrou's downfall. That's what happened in December, when a confidence motion triggered by budget disputes forced PM Michel Barnier to resign.

Speaking to La Tribune Dimanche media, Bayrou said he will use a constitutional tool known as Article 49.3, which allows the government to pass legislation without a parliamentary vote but leaves it exposed to confidence motions.

On Monday, French lawmakers are set to debate the conclusions of a joint Parliamentary committee on the state budget and will turn their attention to the social security budget later in the week.

"Now we have to go straight to adoption," Bayrou said. "A country like ours cannot be without a budget. The only way to do that is to make the government responsible."

The looming showdown unfolds against the backdrop of a fractured National Assembly, left in disarray after June's snap elections delivered no clear majority.

President Emmanuel Macron turned to Barnier in September in a bid to navigate the impasse. But Barnier's proposed austerity budget - slashing $42 billion in spending and raising taxes by 20 billion euros - only deepened divisions, inflaming tensions in the lower house. AP

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