Social Security Budget: The “revenue” part adopted thanks to the left, the executive disavowed
This Monday, November 4, the National Assembly created a surprise by adopting, thanks to the votes of the left, the "revenue" part of the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS) for 2025. A vote that marks a significant setback for the government, whose deputies as well as those of the right voted against this deeply revised text, while the National Rally (RN) abstained. This text, amended by the New Popular Front (NFP) and the left, provides for an increase of 17 to 20 billion euros in contributions, targeting in particular capital income and dividends.
The Left's amendments and the debate on "recipes"
The government's initial text, unanimously rejected by the Social Affairs Committee, was amended by left-wing MPs. They introduced increases in contributions and fees which, according to them, would fill the social security coffers, in opposition to the "unfair cuts" initially proposed. In the evening, the "expenditure" part of the text began to be debated. In particular, MPs voted so that Covid tests would no longer be reimbursed without a medical prescription.
For the La France Insoumise (LFI) group, this victory is "incredible" and symbolizes a "new failure" for the executive, under the presidency of Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Michel Barnier. This success is all the more striking for the New Popular Front, which is pleased to have rejected the budget cuts of 15 billion euros wanted by the government and replaced them with increases in contributions, mainly targeting the very wealthy and multinationals.
On the side of the Macronists and the right-wing deputies, the disappointment is palpable. Thibault Bazin, member of the Republicans (LR), denounced a text "emptied of its meaning" and warned that the new taxes would not affect the very wealthy, but rather "the working middle classes". This opposition did not prevent the adoption of the "revenue" part by 126 votes for and 98 against, opening the way to discussions on spending.
The National Rally, which called the new tax measures "crazy", however chose to abstain. "We want to be able to debate the 'expenditure' part, and voting against would have put an end to the discussions," justified Christophe Bentz (RN).
A symbolic victory for the left, but uncertainties persist
Although symbolically significant, this vote in favour of the left's amendments could be temporary. Prime Minister Michel Barnier is considering using Article 49.3 to pass the text without parliamentary debate. This recourse would allow the government to reinstate the initial provisions and avoid the modifications introduced by the opposition. In the meantime, discussions will continue on the "expenditure" part, with crucial decisions to come concerning pensions, hospital beds and nursing homes.
This turnaround suggests a turbulent adoption of the PLFSS. Right-wing MPs have described this temporary collaboration between the RN and the NFP as a "collusion of populism". Marc Fesneau, president of the MoDem group, expressed his annoyance at this alliance, predicting a return to the Senate for a "responsible and reasonable" debate.
Thus, the Social Security budget for 2025 continues to divide the Assembly, while the constitutional deadline for the first reading of the PLFSS is approaching its end, set for November 5 at midnight.
