Censorship of Michel Barnier: no expanded coalition, the “special law” presented… what to remember from the Council of Ministers

This Wednesday, December 11, in the Council of Ministers, Emmanuel Macron told his ministers that the coalition that supported Barnier could not be expanded at this stage. 

Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday in the Council of Ministers that the “base” of parties that supported Michel Barnier's executive, bringing together the presidential camp and the right, could not be expanded “as it stands”, reported government spokesperson Maud Bregeon.

Discussions underway

The president “insisted on the fact that there was currently no broader base than the one in place today. And that it therefore remained to be seen whether some were ready to broaden this base or to agree on a principle of non-censorship“, she declared to the press while discussions are underway with the socialists, the communists and the ecologists.

“The country has neither the luxury of instability nor the luxury of immobility”, she pleaded. She did not specify whether this meant that Emmanuel Macron, who must appoint a Prime Minister by Thursday, would choose him from this outgoing coalition between the Macronists and Les Républicains.

The head of state also “thanked“Michel Barnier and his government, considering that the censure voted last week in the National Assembly by the left and the extreme right was “a serious choice” which “would have consequences”, according to Maud Bregeon.

“He clearly reminded the French that it was necessary to make them understand that the censorship would have consequences on their daily lives”, added a government source.

According to this source, Emmanuel Macron also “had a word about the voters of the Socialist Party who should not understand only those responsible for their family, including those who have held the highest office” like former President François Hollande, “were able to join La France Insoumise and the National Rally”.

The draft “special law presented”

In addition, the draft "special law" to ensure the continuity of the State from January, due to the lack of a 2025 budget, was presented Wednesday in the Council of Ministers, indicated the spokesperson for the resigning government Maud Bregeon.

This draft law, which will be examined Monday in the Assembly and then on December 18 in the Senate, mainly aims to authorize the government to raise taxes and spend funds on the basis of the budget for the current year.