French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne’s frequent use of Article 49.3 of the French Constitution has sparked significant political controversy. The constitutional provision, which allows the government to pass laws without a vote in the National Assembly, has been employed by Borne 17 times in just 18 months, averaging once per month since her appointment in May 2022, Report informs referring to BNN Network.
This frequency is unprecedented, echoing the record set by Michel Rocard, the Prime Minister with the highest number of uses of the article. Borne’s most recent use of Article 49.3, however, marked a departure from parliamentary tradition as she was not present when the article was invoked. Instead, Franck Riester, the Minister Delegate in charge of Relations with Parliament, took the podium to use the constitutional provision for the final adoption of the 2023-2027 finance programming law.
The use of Article 49.3 has been a source of contention, leading to parliamentary debates and opposition reactions. The invocation of this constitutional provision for the public finance programming law has been met with resistance, with the opposition considering filing a motion of censure. The government’s rationale for utilizing Article 49.3 revolves around the necessity to adhere to European requirements and the need to unlock funds from the European recovery plan.
The controversy surrounding Borne’s use of Article 49.3 underlines the broader challenges facing the government, including navigating European relations, addressing public spending, and managing internal political dynamics. The departure from traditional norms in the recent use of the article highlights the complexities and intricacies of governance in the French political landscape.