French National Rally leader warns of confidence vote over budget tax hikes

Leader of the parliamentary group of the National Rally party Marine Le Pen plans to introduce a motion of no confidence against the French government.

"My position has not changed," she emphasised following a meeting with French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Le Pen added that the National Rally faction will support the motion of no confidence against the government if the draft 2025 budget is not revised.

She explained that the party demands the removal of the proposed increase in electricity taxes from the draft budget. 

Le Pen also warned the prime minister against attempting to pass the budget bypassing parliament by invoking Article 49.3 of the French Constitution.

Article 49.3 of the French Constitution allows the government to pass laws without a vote. However, if this provision is invoked, the National Assembly has the right to issue a vote of no confidence against the government within 24 hours. 

Earlier this year, France held snap parliamentary elections after Le Pen’s party outperformed President Emmanuel Macron's coalition in the European Parliament elections. The outcome saw the "New People's Front" (NFP) winning 182 seats, with Macron's "Together" coalition securing 168 seats, and Le Pen's "National Rally" taking third place with 143 seats in the National Assembly.

By Naila Huseynova