The Senate, where Michel Barnier has a very large majority, will take control of the budget on Wednesday, when the Finance Committee examines the “revenue” section.
Members of Parliament are due to hold a formal vote on the first part of the budget at around 4:30 pm on Tuesday. State Budget 2025dedicated to revenues. This section could be rejected by the National Assembly, before the Senate takes it up again on Wednesday.
But the version put to the vote has nothing to do with the text tabled by Michel Barnier At the beginning of October, billions in additional revenue were voted in, and several key measures rejected (car malus, dividend tax, electricity surcharge, etc.). To the point of making this first part “NFP-compatible“according to Finance Committee chairman Eric Coquerel (LFI).
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But while the left is set to vote in favor, the government camp (LR-macronists) is not, expressing indignation at a “fiscal nonsense“. In theory, the troops of the Barnier coalition outnumber those of the New Popular Front, suggesting a rejection in the event of a good mobilization in the hemicycle, where each MP present will be able to vote for an absent member. Even if the Rassemblement National decides at the last minute to abstain.
If the receipts are rejected, the text will go straight to the Senate in its initial version. If, on the other hand, it is adopted, the lower house will tackle the “tax” section at full speed.expenses“The deadline for doing so is November 21. At this stage in any case, the government does not intend to activate Article 49.3, preferring “give free rein to debates”, explains a minister.
The Senate in the starting-blocks
Not far from the Palais Bourbon, the Senate is eagerly awaiting the budget. It will do so on Wednesday, when the Finance Committee examines the “revenue” part of the budget.
Michel Barnier has a very large majority in the upper house, with almost 250 senators out of 348, including around 130 in the Les Républicains group, the Prime Minister’s family… And the latter is counting on its influence.
“We feel that the Senate will have a different place in the debate. I think we have a role to play, to show that bicameralism is more useful than we think.“points out budget general rapporteur Jean-François Husson (LR), who intends to “provide a framework“in relation to the many measures passed by the Assembly. While promising to clear “several billion in savings“.
“In the Senate, we’re in a chamber where we settle down, with a more consensual and negotiated dialogue.“says a confident minister. Nevertheless, the chamber of territories is likely to give the executive a hard time about the budget allocated to local authorities, which will be drained to the tune of at least five billion in the government’s plan, and even much more according to the calculations of local elected representatives…