More than a week that the debates last and it is not over. The deputies of the National Assembly continued to lash out at several measures relating to purchasing power. After adopting the bill “on emergency measures for the protection of purchasing power”, on Friday, they now debated of the amending finance bill (“PLFR”), on the night of Monday 25 to Tuesday 26 July.
Without reaching an agreement, which caused the annoyance of Bruno Le Maire, the Minister of Economy and Finance. “We are witnessing a real distortion of the democratic debate”he launched into the hemicycle before denouncing “endless debates”. “We are witnessing a real distortion of the democratic debate” with “pure politician politics”he added.
“I appeal to the MoDem, to Horizons, to the Republicans and to Renaissance, let’s hold the public accounts!”
Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economy and Financeto the National Assembly
But, the discussions fell apart and the spirits overheated, postponing the adoption of this rectified 2022 draft budget, with more than 230 amendments still on the program. Before dinner, the government suffered a new setback: the oppositions joined together to vote 230 million euros in support for homes heating with oil, an LR amendment in the face of inflation. The executive favored aid of 50 million euros earmarked for low-income households. “We consider that these are important, urgent, decisive subjects (…) There is no desire to block”assured LFI Manuel Bompard.
The Assembly must examine the financing by the State of the 100% renationalisation of EDF, a 9.7 billion euro operation intended to get the electricity production and supply group out of its financial rut and industrial. The State already owns 84% of EDF and intends to launch a public purchase offer (OPA) due to end at the end of October. The oppositions are not hostile to it, but set their conditions regarding the reorganization of EDF and energy policy.
Regarding fuel, Bercy is ready to temporarily increase the discount on the liter of fuel from 18 to 30 cents, in a compromise with the Republican deputies. MEPs also voted on Monday, via an LR amendment, financial support of 15 million euros for small and medium-sized independent service stations, mainly in rural areas. They also voted aid of 15 million euros to strengthen food aid overseas. The deputies suspended their work shortly after two o’clock in the morning and will resume on Tuesday at the end of the afternoon.