The deputies of the presidential camp left the hemicycle before the vote, denouncing an amendment contrary to the Constitution.
Stormy atmosphere at the Assembly. The socialist group succeeded, against the advice of the government, in having its bill against the risks of “dismantling” of EDF at first reading. The deputies of the presidential camp deserted the hemicycle just before the vote, because of a legal quarrel on an amendment of the text. The bill will now have to be considered in the Senate. Franceinfo answers four questions about this surprise victory by opposition politicians.
1 What does this socialist bill contain?
The bill tabled by the Socialist Group aims “to the nationalization of the Electricité de France group”, depending on the title of the text. Article 1 thus provides for guaranteeing public ownership and the unity of the public energy service, with a precise enumeration of its activities. Objective: to avoid any dismemberment and to give parliamentarians a right of scrutiny over the fate of the company.
It was the addition of an amendment, during the passage of the bill in committee, which caused a scandal when the text was examined in the hemicycle. It plans to open up to craftsmen, and in particular bakers, the benefit of a “TPE tariff shield [très petites entreprises] specific”in the face of soaring energy prices.
2 Why does the opposition fear a “dismantling” of EDF?
The vote on this bill comes at a time when the State is trying to carry out a public purchase offer (OPA) intended to renationalize and relaunch the electricity giant. Bercy argued on Wednesday that the state held “95.82% of the capital” of the company. The rest of the operation is subject to a decision by the Paris Court of Appeal on the appeal of certain minority shareholders.
The socialist rapporteur of the bill, Philippe Brun, has “doubts” on the future of this takeover bid, because of these “many appeals” small shareholders. He also considers insufficient the value of 12 euros per share set by the State to redeem the securities. Above all, the deputy for Eure argues that the OPA could leave the “hands free” to the executive for “dismantle” then the group and “privatize its most profitable activities (…) while investments in nuclear power would continue to be financed by public money.” For its part, the government has repeatedly denied any desire to break up EDF.
3 Under what conditions was this text voted?
In the midst of a debate on the pension reform bill in the National Assembly, the day of Thursday, February 9 was reserved for texts tabled by the socialist group, what is called the “parliamentary niche”. On the program: a text for the opening of a commission of inquiry into the cost of living in Overseas France, another on one-euro meals for students, and therefore a proposal to nationalize EDF.
The discussion on the nationalization of the energy company turned into a pitched battle in the hemicycle and outside. It all started with a legal dispute over the addition, via the amendment in committee, of the tariff shield intended for craftsmen. The presidential camp judged the measure without legal link with the text and contrary to the Constitution, because adding a financial burden for the State. What the chairman of the Finance Committee, Eric Coquerel (LFI), and the rapporteur, Philippe Brun, have contested on several occasions.
After several reminders of the regulations and stormy suspensions of the session, the president of the Renaissance group, Aurore Bergé, announced that the presidential majority would no longer participate in the debates. The Macronist deputies therefore left the hemicycle, leaving the way open for adoption of the text.
“We refuse to participate in what is a disgrace to the Assembly. […] Under these conditions, the presidential majority refuses to take part in these debates, which are nothing but a charade,” says @aurorebergebefore leaving the hemicycle with the deputies of the majority. #DirectAN pic.twitter.com/7w1oakGqNY
—LCP (@LCP) February 9, 2023
In the absence of the presidential camp, the text was widely adopted, with 205 votes to 1.
4 What will happen after this adoption at first reading?
If the Socialists, with the support of the other oppositions, won a battle with the adoption at first reading of their bill in the National Assembly, they have not yet won the war. Indeed, the text must now pass before the Senate, the majority of which is on the right. The bill will only be definitively adopted if the upper house of Parliament adopts the text identically. Otherwise, the parliamentary shuttle will continue between the two assemblies, until an agreement or a transition to a joint committee.