France: National Rally President Claims 'Uncertainty Must be Avoided' Ahead of Bayrou Censure Motion
The Facts
National Rally (RN) Pres. Jordan Bardella claimed on Tuesday that "uncertainty needs to be avoided" prior to Wednesday's censure motions against Prime Minister François Bayrou's government.
Bardella claimed that although RN opposed Bayrou's budget, which includes €53B in tax rises and spending cuts, censure would "not be beneficial to the French." Bardella also stated that RN's final position on the no confidence votes would only be finalized following a meeting with Marine Le Pen.
This comes as Bayrou used Article 49.3 of the French Constitution on Monday to push through both his 2025 state budget and the first of three parts of the social security budget without a parliamentary vote, leading to France Unbowed (LFI) filing two votes of no confidence.
The Spin
Narrative A
The week has brought good news for Bayrou. Despite the threat of no-confidence motions, he is likely to emerge unscathed. Socialist rejection and RN reluctance reflects a broad consensus to end months of instability. With a spiraling deficit and social unrest, the last thing France needs is political upheaval. Bayrou's government, while not without its challenges, seems destined to finally give the French people the economic security the country desperately needs.
Narrative B
Bayrou has undermined the very purpose of the National Assembly. His budget's harsh cuts and steep tax rises will only harm French citizens, particularly the most vulnerable. Meanwhile, the Socialist Party's wavering stance and the RN’s indecision only highlights the failure of political leaders to stand up against this dangerous move. Bayrou’s likely survival reflects not resilience, but a broken system in desperate need of change.