how the government flirted with the Left to avoid a backsliding in the Assembly
A text that remains restrained, but can nevertheless change the situation for the executive. MPs are considering a renewable energy bill this Monday afternoon that seeks to make it easier to set up new wind and solar farms. Agnès Pannier-Runacher nodded towards the left, although the right was very reluctant there in the assembly. There is no guarantee to convince them.
The executive has no choice but to cut corners to hope to attract the good graces of the opposition. In the context of a relative majority and with only 49.3 votes of the executive power by the end of the parliamentary session next summer, a vote against the text will mean it will be removed from the political agenda.
Program No. 49.3
“We will not fire our boss for this text. We prefer to keep it warm for retirement,” the majority translates plainly.
The first group targeted by this sting operation: Republicans who can convince right-wing lawmakers on certain points — such as reducing electricity bills for municipalities that will host wind farms — that other measures are a red line for LRs. Among them: the possibility of installation
To reverse the trend and persuade, the government first studied the text in the Senate with a majority on the right. The purpose of the maneuver was to trap colleagues in the hemisphere, betting that the LR colleagues in the upper house would not dare to open their cases.
This bet seems to have failed so far: if the senators voted for a version of the text that could convince the right-wing MPs on certain points, for example, reducing electricity bills for municipalities that will install wind farms – other measures are a red line for LR. Among them: the possibility of installing offshore wind turbines 22 kilometers off the coast of France.
“There is no question of saying yes to wind turbines at any cost”
LR Annie Genevard MP explains to BFMTV.com: “There will be very high demands to vote on our text.”
One of his colleagues wants to be more direct, suggesting that the government’s turn to convince the right will be very tight. It must be said that the topic is very heated. An elected official from the south of France says: “There is no question of saying ‘yes’ to wind turbines at any cost without significant changes.
Reconciliation with La France insoumise
The National Meeting, in turn, should not vote for this bill. Marine Le Pen also called in the presidential program stop all new installations decommissioning of wind turbines and removing all those that have reached the end of their life without replacement.
Around Agnès Pannier-Runacher, these positions are condemned as “ideological when renewable energies should unite the forces of all elected officials” and when electricity will be cut next January.
In search of an ally, the government therefore ignored Nupes. Although Emmanuel Macron and Elisabeth Borne sometimes have very harsh words for the left, the Energy Transition Minister has continued to make numerous phone calls since August to convince them. With some success.
One of Agnès Pannier-Runacher’s entourage emphasizes: “The rebels have approached us since September, came to meet us and have a constructive approach.”
“All conditions are met” for the left to “vote this text”
Proof that the Executive puts the package and wants to convince the Nupes: 15% of the amendments accepted by the rapporteur of the bill, Pierre Cazeneuve (Renaissance), come from the benches of the left. These include, for example, a renewable energy intermediary.
“All the conditions have been met” for the deputies on the left to vote for this text, he even advanced in the columns of the minister. Sunday newspaper.
But the road to the vote still seems long. Many red lines remain for Nupes, such as the government’s ability to allow residents who live next door to a wind turbine to benefit from reduced bills.
“We are moving towards ‘no'”
Manon Meunier, leader of the LFI group, said the provision would give the impression of “buying people off”.
“That’s why we’re moving towards ‘no’. The text fully accepts seeing renewable energy as a means alongside nuclear energy. We want to move to a 100% renewable scenario,” judges still LFI Deputy Gabriel Amard.
Agnès Pannier-Runacher’s efforts were seen on the Rebels’ bench.
“It is the first time since 2017 that I see a minister open to our amendments, ready to discuss the substance. But for the moment too many things are still worrying us,” rebel parliamentarian Loic Prudhomme goes further.
Socialists “on their guard”
In the ranks of socialists and environmentalists, we could have left and voted in favor of the bill. To show its goodwill, Renaissance has agreed to drop a provision allowing the installation of renewable energies for “important reasons of fundamental public interest,” including in biodiversity protected areas.
The problem: this provision could come back into play during parliamentary debates and push the PS and Socialists to vote against it.
“We know very well that the version that suits us now will not be the version that will be voted on in ten days. That’s why we are all a little cautious,” the socialist employee translates.
Good point for Agnès Pannier-Runacher
One thing is certain: the adoption of the bill will be seen by the executive as a real victory for Agnes Pannier-Runacher.
“If the text is adopted, it will be the first time that the National Assembly has adopted a text with the votes of the left, other than social reforms. It would be historic,” the government colleague still advances.
It’s enough to give a little more political weight to the Energy Transition Minister, who will tackle an equally complex topic in the coming months: the future nuclear bill.
The original article was published on BFMTV.com
