French Government Survives Censure, to Pursue Privatization
France’s right-wing government today survived its first censure debate in Parliament, leaving it free to push ahead with plans to sell state-owned firms to the private sector.
A censure motion proposed by the Socialist opposition and supported by the Communists attracted 251 votes, 38 short of the required absolute majority.
In line with French constitutional procedure, the right-wing majority was not required to vote. The extreme-right National Front decided Thursday to abstain, ensuring the motion would be defeated by a comfortable margin.
The motion was put forward after Prime Minister Jacques Chirac introduced a guillotine procedure to curtail debate on a package of economic measures, including privatization of about 65 companies in state hands.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
