Eric Coquerel, LFI-Nupes deputy for Seine-Saint-Denis and chairman of the Finance Committee at the National Assembly, returned on Sunday March 19 to franceinfo on the government’s responsibility in the tensions of recent days against the pension reform . He believes in his withdrawal, appeals to the Republicans and also expects a lot from the Constitutional Council.
“This government is a permanent affront to democracy”
“We should not be surprised, when we violate a Parliament by making sure to pass a law with 49.3, we should not be surprised that anger explodes”reacted this Sunday on franceinfo Eric Coquerel, LFI-Nupes, chairman of the Finance Committee at the National Assembly, after the words of Olivier Dussopt who said in the Sunday newspaper that “When there is violence in words and in Parliament, it is not surprising that there is also violence in the streets.”
“The first person responsible for all this is first and foremost the government, which decides on a law against the vast majority of French people and which, in addition, uses totally undemocratic procedures. What world do we live in? This is unacceptable. “
The deputies of the Nupes sang The Marseillaise Thursday, March 16 when Elisabeth Borne arrives in the hemicycle of the National Assembly. A behavior rather frowned upon by many elected officials. “It would be an affront to Parliament when we use our song to remind us that we are a Republic and that it is inadmissible for us to come to a Parliament to explain that we are going to deprive it of voting because we know we are in the minority”explained Eric Coquerel. “For me this government is tough but it is a permanent affront to democracy, the National Assembly, the parliamentary life of a country and it is no longer bearable.”
Withdrawal: Eric Coquerel “still believes in it”
If the government wants to get out of this crisis situation, “he had better withdraw the law and agree that it is unreasonable to want to impose a law against the great majority of the people.” withdrawal of the law, “I still believe in”said Eric Coquerel. “If the strikes continue it is the central element which can allow the withdrawal”he added.
“We have already experienced in the past governments which explain to us that they will hold out at all costs and after a while you agree that it is no longer bearable.”
The government “does not have a majority on this law and that is why he uses 49.3, justifying that it is in the Constitution. This Constitution does not suit us and suits fewer and fewer French people. There are a democratic earthquake that Emmanuel Macron would do well to admit and withdraw his law.”
Motion of censure: Eric Coquerel “calls on all Republicans who were about to vote against, even all those who were about to abstain, to vote for this motion of censure”
Motions of censure were tabled against the pension reform by the group Freedoms, Independents, Overseas and Territories (Liot) and by the National Rally. They will be debated on Monday. “It is a major obstacle that he has in front of him”estimated Eric Coquerel.
“Many Republicans do not accept this way of bypassing Parliament. I call on all those who were about to vote against, even all those who were about to abstain, to vote for this motion of no confidence. stop this government. Republicans who are committed to social justice can go so far as to vote and I call on them to do so.”
Constitutional Council: Eric Coquerel has “good hope” that the text will be declared “unconstitutional”
The pension reform will be examined by the Constitutional Council. “Everyone knows that this law used a legislative process that is absolutely not made to pass a law on pensions.” The left-wing coalition will argue that the reform, inserted in a draft amendment to the Social Security budget, is a legislative horseman, since finances are not the only aspect addressed in the text.
“I hope and I have high hopes that the Constitutional Council, which will examine a law that has not been passed in the National Assembly, declares this text unconstitutional.”
A referendum has been called for by the unions. “It can be a good way to block the law. The RIP (shared initiative referendum) is very complicated because you need four million votes and it’s very difficult to get them. But I hope that long before we are done with this law.”