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French Prime Minister Wins Parliamentary Vote of Confidence
French Premier Prevails in Confidence Vote
(about 5 hours later)
PARIS — France’s embattled Socialist government survived a parliamentary vote of confidence Tuesday aimed at shoring up support for tough economic policy changes at a time when the economy is flat and President François Hollande’s popularity is the lowest of any French president in decades.
PARIS — France’s embattled Socialist government survived a parliamentary vote of confidence on Tuesday aimed at shoring up support for tough economic policy changes at a time when the economy is flat and President François Hollande’s popularity is the lowest of any French president in decades.
The vote, which passed by 269 to 244 in the 577-seat National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, was called by Prime Minister Manuel Valls after a cabinet reshuffle last month that purged prominent leftists who were critical of austerity measures that have divided Europe and, closer to home, his own Socialist party.
The vote, which passed by 269 to 244 in the 577-seat National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, was called by Prime Minister Manuel Valls after a cabinet reshuffle last month that purged prominent leftists who were critical of austerity measures that have divided Europe and, closer to home, his own Socialist Party.
While there was little doubt that Mr. Valls would win the vote, the question was how forceful a rebellion he might face from the left wing, which has opposed the budget cuts and efforts by both Mr. Valls and the president to nudge the party toward the center.
While there was little doubt that Mr. Valls would win the vote, the question was how forceful a rebellion he might face from the left wing of the party, which has opposed budget cuts and efforts by both Mr. Valls and the president to nudge the party toward the center.
A group of about 40 left-wing Socialists had threatened to abstain from the vote to protest against a government economic approach that they view as a reckless breach of Socialist principles that is too favorable toward business. In the end, 32 Socialist members abstained.
A group of about 40 left-wing Socialists had threatened to abstain from the vote to protest a government economic approach that they view as a reckless breach of Socialist principles that is too favorable toward business. In the end, 32 Socialist members abstained.
Before the vote, Mr. Valls outlined his government’s program, vowing to maintain the vaunted French social model, including key policies like the 35-hour work week, while insisting that incentives for business were also essential to revive confidence in the economy.
Before the vote, Mr. Valls outlined his government’s program, vowing to maintain the French social model, including policies like the 35-hour workweek, while insisting that incentives for business were also essential to revive confidence in the economy.
“The main weakness of our economy is the lack of competitiveness of our companies,” he told Parliament, prompting jeers and applause. He added: “What matters today is effectiveness and not ideology.”
“The main weakness of our economy is the lack of competitiveness of our companies,” he said in Parliament, prompting jeers and applause. He added, “What matters today is effectiveness and not ideology.”
Analysts said that the Socialists’ desire to remain in power had, at least for now, trumped ideological divisions. The fall of the government could have spurred early parliamentary elections that the deeply unpopular Socialists would have been hard-pressed to win.
Analysts said that the Socialists’ desire to remain in power had, at least for now, trumped ideological divisions. The fall of the government could have spurred early parliamentary elections that the deeply unpopular Socialists would have been hard pressed to win.
Even with the success of the vote, Mr. Valls faces daunting challenges as he and Mr. Hollande attempt to thread a course between creating a more business friendly environment and updating — though not jettisoning — many of the labor and social protections that form the core principles of the Socialist Party.
Even as the Socialists try to tame a simmering rebellion on the left, they are also confronting a growing threat from the far-right National Front, which is gaining ground and which Mr. Valls has warned is “at the gates of power.”
Not least, even as the Socialists try to tame a simmering rebellion on the left, they are also confronting a growing threat from the far-right National Front, which is gaining ground and which Mr. Valls has warned is “at the gates of power.”
In addition, Mr. Hollande faces the probable return to politics of former President Nicolas Sarkozy, who, though mired in corruption accusations, is expected this week to signal his intention to lead his conservative U.M.P. party, presaging a possible run for president in 2017 that could rejuvenate the country’s now rudderless center-right.
In addition, Mr. Hollande faces the imminent return to politics of former President Nicolas Sarkozy, who, though mired in corruption accusations, is expected this week to signal his intentions to lead his conservative U.M.P. party, presaging a possible run for president in 2017 that could rejuvenate the country’s now rudderless center-right.
Mr. Hollande and Mr. Valls hope, however, that the success of the confidence vote will give the government added backing to follow through on its economic program, including plans for spending cuts totaling 50 billion euros through 2017 (about $65 billion), and a package of tax measures for employers devised to encourage hiring.
Mr. Hollande and Mr. Valls hope, however, that the success of the confidence vote will give the government added backing to follow through on its economic program, including plans for spending cuts totaling 50 billion euros through 2017, and a package of tax measures for employers designed to encourage hiring.
The French government collapsed in late August after a vociferous internal battle over whether those austerity measures — instituted under pressure from Germany and the European Union — were hobbling France.
The French government collapsed in late August following a vociferous internal battle over whether those austerity measures — instituted under pressure from Germany and the European Union — were hobbling France.
The dispute was spurred when Arnaud Montebourg, at the time Mr. Vall’s combative economy minister, broke ranks with the prime minister, saying that austerity championed by Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany was undermining France’s recovery. Mr. Montebourg was forced out of the cabinet and replaced with Emmanuel Macron, a former investment banker at Rothschild.
The dispute was spurred when Arnaud Montebourg, at the time Mr. Vall’s combative economy minister, broke ranks with the prime minister, insisting that austerity championed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel was undermining France’s recovery. Mr. Montebourg was forced out of the cabinet and was replaced with Emmanuel Macron, a former investment banker at Rothschild.
It was the second major cabinet reshuffle since Mr. Hollande became president in 2012. Since then, the French economy has faltered and Mr. Hollande’s approval rating has plummeted to about 13 percent.
It was the second major cabinet reshuffle since Mr. Hollande became president in 2012. Since then, the French economy has faltered, and Mr. Hollande’s approval rating has plummeted to about 13 percent.
Bruno Cautrès, a professor of politics at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, said that with or without the confidence vote, Mr. Hollande had lost much of his authority amid political and economic doldrums, and vacillating policies between left and right. “There is a feeling that François Hollande is no longer in control,” he said.
Hoping to shore up his declining support, Mr. Hollande will be meeting with members of the French and international press on Thursday, where he is expected to sell the government’s political and economic plans to a recalcitrant public.
Bruno Cautrès, professor of politics at Sciences Po in Paris, said that with or without the confidence vote, Mr. Hollande had lost much of his authority amid political and economic doldrums, and vacillating policies between left and right. “There is a feeling that François Hollande is no longer in control, while incomprehensibility remains about what he stands for.”
