Eric Coquerel and Charles de Courson denounce a “democratic denial” after being ousted from Matignon
MPs Éric Coquerel (LFI) and Charles de Courson (Liot) expressed their "anger" after leaving Matignon on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. Their goal? Obtain the ceiling letters, crucial documents for the development of the 2025 budget project. These letters set the credits allocated to each ministry and constitute the basis of the finance bill, usually presented before October 1. However, their access was refused, a gesture that the two elected officials consider contrary to their "constitutional right".
"We are stunned by this decision," Eric Coquerel told the press, specifying that it was a democratic denial that jeopardizes the functioning of the National Assembly. According to Coquerel, Emmanuel Macron, through this decision, "is endangering democracy."
A budget under pressure and a Prime Minister in transition
Michel Barnier, who had just been appointed Prime Minister after the dissolution of the National Assembly, explained in a letter sent late to Coquerel that the ceiling letters, adopted by the previous government, would not be modified. He promised to communicate a provisional version of the broad budget guidelines by the end of the week. But, with a budget deadline imminent, Coquerel considered that the National Assembly could not afford such a delay, while the presentation of the 2025 budget is scheduled for early October.
A political battle in the background
Coquerel and Courson's visit to Matignon comes in a tense context where the government must quickly present a budget after months of political uncertainty. The ceiling letters, already sent to the ministries, have become the symbol of a fight between the executive and the opposition for transparency and parliamentary control. The two deputies intend to continue their battle by going to Bercy on Wednesday to try to obtain these documents.
As pressure mounts to present the 2025 budget, restricted access to ceiling letters is increasing tensions between the executive and the legislature. With increasingly tight deadlines, Michel Barnier will have to strike a delicate balance to avoid a new institutional crisis.
