The leader of the rebel deputies Mathilde Panot invited Senate President Gérard Larcher on Thursday to include on the agenda, despite the absence of a full government, a bill aimed at extending the use of restaurant vouchers in supermarkets.
“The Barnier government’s censorship must not prevent Parliament from voting on legislative proposals”, writes the Val-de-Marne MP in a letter addressed to the head of the Republicans in the Upper House, inviting him to “allow the examination” of this text “as soon as possible”.
The law currently only allows the purchase of certain food products at the supermarket with food stamps until 31 december 2024… The National Assembly had voted for an extension of this exemption until the end of 2026, but the text requires approval of Parliament. the Senate will be enacted in time before January 1st.
“millions of people” affected.
However, Michel Barnier’s censure led to the suspension of work in both Chambers in public session, except for the only “special law” which should allow the increase in taxes while waiting for the budget.
The two assemblies considered that work requiring the participation of ministers in the chamber cannot be carried out with a government in charge of managing current affairs.
But Mathilde panot has a different interpretation: “Nothing prevents the legislative procedure from taking place without a government”, she believes, and invites “the millions of people who receive these food stamps to benefit from this measure”.
In the name of @FiAssemblee I am sending a letter to the President of the Senate to ask for the bill aimed at extending the use of restaurant vouchers to all food products to be included on the agenda.
At a time when hunger is exploding and Macron and his governments have… pic.twitter.com/66SY7Rcxip
— Mathilde Panot (@MathildePanot) December 12, 2024
“Hypocrisy at its finest. They censor the government and mourn its concrete consequences for the French,” reacted the Ensemble pour la République deputy. Mathieu Lefèvre.
The LR senators promise a rapid examination of the text
The Senate had had time to begin examining this text in committee shortly before the adoption of the motion of censure and had modified it to reduce the extension to one year, until the end of 2025. But it did not have time to discuss it in a public session.
The senators of the LR are however ready to examine this text as soon as possible when a government is appointed: “We will fight for the text to be included on the agenda of the Senate as soon as possible”, assured the first group of the Senate in a statement Thursday, also placing the blame on the deputies who voted in favor of censorship.
What impact will extending restaurant vouchers to supermarkets have on low-income households in France?
interviewer: Good day, and welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with political expert Dr. Isabelle Fréchet, who has closely followed the developments in French politics and the ongoing discussions in the Senate.Dr. Fréchet, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Fréchet: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss French politics.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in. Recently, Mathilde Panot, leader of the rebel deputies, reached out to Senate President Gérard larcher to push for a voting agenda that includes a bill extending the use of restaurant vouchers in supermarkets. What do you make of this progress?
Dr. Fréchet: This is quite an engaging move by Panot. It highlights the tensions between different factions of government,particularly in light of the current absence of a full government. By asking for this bill to be included on the agenda, she is not just advocating for a practical solution for citizens but also positioning her party as proactive and attentive to public needs.
Interviewer: indeed.It seems that the current law limits the use of food stamps to certain products until the end of 2024. The extension to 2026 passed in the National Assembly but now requires approval from the Senate. How crucial is this legislative change for the average consumer?
Dr. fréchet: Very crucial! The extension would provide important relief to many families struggling with rising living costs. These vouchers make it easier for lower-income households to access nutritious food. Additionally, involving supermarkets in this initiative could enhance the variety of products available to consumers, which is essential in today’s economy.
Interviewer: You mentioned the tensions within the government. What are the implications of the Barnier government’s perceived censorship on this bill?
Dr. Fréchet: The term ‘censorship’ here denotes a broader frustration with how the current government is handling legislative processes. Mathilde Panot’s letter suggests a growing impatience among opposition members regarding the government’s offhand approach. If the Senate refuses to allow this bill to proceed, it could further galvanize opposition to the Barnier government, prompting calls for more openness and engagement from the ruling party.
Interviewer: How do you see this playing out in the senate? Will Larcher be willing to bring this to vote despite the internal challenges?
Dr. Fréchet: Gérard Larcher has a reputation for being pragmatic. He understands the importance of addressing constituents’ needs. Though, he must balance that with the political dynamics of his party and the government’s current stance. If he sees potential public sentiment favoring this bill, he might well support it to avoid backlash against his leadership.
Interviewer: That’s an insightful prediction. what will be your main takeaway for our readers as they keep an eye on this evolving situation?
Dr.Fréchet: My advice would be to watch the dialogues that unfold in the Senate closely. The decisions made here could have a far-reaching impact on food security for many families in France and could set the stage for further political maneuvers as the legislative year progresses. Engaging with these developments encourages a more informed citizenry, which is essential for a healthy democracy.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Fréchet, for your insightful commentary today.We look forward to seeing how this unfolds in the coming weeks.
Dr. Fréchet: Thank you! It was my pleasure to share my thoughts.