France's parliament approves controversial austerity budget
In December, the dispute over the French budget led to the fall of the government under Michel Barnier. After a fierce struggle his successor François Bayrou has now overcome that hurdle. He made it through two votes of no confidence in the National Assembly, after which the Senate approved the budget. Commentators conclude that the situation remains far from stable.
Still dependent on the opposition's goodwill
The government remains fragile nonetheless, Le Monde observes:
“This time most of the political forces have realised that a blockade would plunge the country into an even deeper crisis. ... Bayrou's room for manoeuvre remains limited. The base of the parties that support him has not grown. The Socialist Party remains firmly anchored in the opposition and is ready to topple him, particularly on the issue of immigration. ... And the RN also hasn't ruled out bringing him down if the opportunity arises. Bayrou continues to depend on the goodwill of his opponents.”
So much promise has come to so little
The fact that just passing a budget is celebrated as a success shows just how low the bar now is, The Daily Telegraph puts in:
“At the end of the day, the French state is just as big today as it was when he took power. Public debt is 17 percentage points of GDP higher and flirting with a compound interest trap. The retirement age is still 64. ... France remains a great nation and will get its act together in the end. But political expectations are so low at this point that it is deemed a success merely to pass a budget without a vote of no confidence. So much promise has come to so little.”