French Government Presents Legislative Agenda after Budget Adoption
After four arduous months and the involvement of two separate governments, France has finally secured the passage of its 2023 budget, including both the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS) and the general budget. This concludes a lengthy political saga that has gripped the nation.
Upcoming Parliamentary Schedule
With the budget hurdle cleared, the government and parliament are eager to move on to other pressing matters. On Tuesday, the executive unveiled the upcoming legislative agenda for the National Assembly, outlining the bills that will be debated in the coming weeks.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Relations Patrick Mignola presented the schedule at a conference of presiding officers of the lower house.
Early March: Parliamentary Proposals
In early March, the deputies will discuss several parliamentary proposals that were not initiated by the government. These include:
- A bill aimed at boosting the stability of the agri-food sector and enhancing its competitiveness.
- A much-anticipated bill to address France’s drug trafficking problem, which was initially passed by the Senate.
- An organic law establishing the status of the National Prosecutor for the Fight against Organized Crime.
- The "Electoral Law Reform Bill" (PLM), which seeks to modify the election procedures for the Paris City Council and the municipal councils of Lyon and Marseille, with the goal of implementing these changes before the 2026 local elections.
April: Government Bills
Several government bills are also slated for examination in April, including:
- A bill on simplifying economic life.
- A proposal to convert coal-fired power plants to fuels that emit less carbon dioxide.
- A bill aimed at promoting gender parity in local government.
May: End-of-Life Laws
In May, the National Assembly will tackle two significant bills related to end-of-life care:
- The first bill addresses palliative care.
- The second bill concerns active assisted dying.
These bills will be examined concurrently.
June: Mayotte Emergency Bill and Other Measures
June’s legislative agenda features the draft emergency law for Mayotte, to be spearheaded by Manuel Valls.
Additional bills may be debated if the parliamentary schedule permits, including:
- A proposal on reforming public broadcasting and industrial sovereignty.
- A bill establishing a specific offense of road homicide to combat road violence.
Government Optimistic about Progress
Despite the absence of major reforms in the upcoming schedule, a Macronist official expressed optimism that it will allow the government to "tick over until the summer."
Conclusion
After the tumultuous process of budget adoption, the French government and parliament are now focusing on an ambitious legislative agenda that covers a wide range of issues. The coming months will be crucial in shaping the future of France on matters such as economic growth, public health, and social policies.
