“A showdown, no, debates, yes. » Elected Thursday, June 30 as chairman of the finance committee of the National Assembly, the deputy (La France insoumise, LFI) Eric Coquerel becomes the symbol of the breakthrough of the New Popular Ecological and Social Union (Nupes) in the Hemicycle facing the government coalition, deprived of an absolute majority since the legislative election of June 19. A position as prestigious as it is strategic, from which this close friend of Jean-Luc Mélenchon intends to modify the practices of the commission, while polishing an image of respectability.
“The Finance Committee has a role in drafting laws, but above all in controlling the budget. I will use all my prerogatives, which allow me not to flush out this or that political opponent, but to check that we do not go from optimization to tax evasion “, affirmed Thursday afternoon the deputy of Seine-Saint-Denis. The possibility that now falls to him to request the lifting of tax secrecy for an individual or a company had given cold sweats to the majority and to the right in recent days.
Same voluntarism on the agenda and the topics discussed. “During the past five years, the government has often carried out things decided with a push button by the Elysée. I will ensure that the Assembly has time to legislate, debate and decide,” explains Mr. Coquerel, who intends to influence the choice of themes for commissions of inquiry, missions or the various reports. He thus plans to invite trade unionists or to broaden the spectrum of personalities interviewed, such as the former anti-corruption magistrate Eva Joly. “We hope to have more access to the resources of the commission (administrators, etc.) and to be sources of proposals”, abounds the socialist deputy Christine Pirès-Beaune.
Another essential change, according to Mr. Coquerel: modifying the way in which article 40 of the Constitution is applied, which excludes in particular any amendment resulting in an increase in budgetary expenses if it is not guaranteed by revenue. “I will make sure to have a more generous vision of the amendments”, insists Mr. Coquerel, who deplores the strict use made of it during the previous mandate. A resolution that he should quickly implement since he will have, from mid-July, the task of organizing the debates on the purchasing power bill, on which the oppositions are already battling to pass their proposals.
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