2024-11-18 19:33:00
The President of the Senate, Gérard Larcher (top), and the Minister of the Budget, Laurent Saint-Martin (bottom), at the opening of the debates on the Social Security budget, in the Senate, November 18, 2024. BERTRAND GUAY / AFP
After the examination of the Social Security financing bill in the National Assembly, where the deputies had not reached the end within the set deadlines, an unprecedented situation under the Fifth Republic, the Senate began the examination of the text, Monday November 19.
Due to the absence of a vote on the text at the Palais Bourbon, it is the government’s initial text which is discussed by the senators. While more than 800 amendments have been tabled, the examination of the PLFSS will extend until Friday or Saturday. First positive signal for the government in a Senate: two motions for prior rejection of the text were rejected, each receiving less than 100 votes out of 348.
The Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, seeking 15 billion euros in savings on the Social Security budget, in theory has clear support in the Senate, dominated by the Republicans and their centrist allies. “We must be careful and show courage. It will certainly be painful, but the worst would be not having the will and the courage to make proposals that match the challenges”assured Elisabeth Doineau, the rapporteur (UDI) of the text in the Senate.
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Several measures are in fact under debate, such as the reduction of employer contributions or the postponement of the indexation of pensions to inflation. On this first issue, the government is proposing to limit and distribute these exemptions differently, particularly for salaries at the minimum wage level. The executive, which initially wanted to withdraw 4 billion euros from this measure, finally proposed on Sunday to halve the requested effort, to 2 billion euros. The Senate, for its part, proposed in committee an intermediate route, estimated at 3 billion euros, which would involve a rebalancing in favor of reductions on salaries close to the minimum wage.
The left denounces “an austerity budget”
On pensions, the subject has almost been settled by an agreement between the right and the government to increase all pensions by half of inflation on January 1, before a supplement for the smallest pensions on July 1.
The device, supposed to bring in around 3.5 billion euros, still needs to be adopted in public session, where the left will denounce a “scam”. “The government without a majority in the Assembly can count on its supporters here to do the dirty work”regretted Monday senator (PCF) Cathy Apourceau-Poly, who castigated “an austerity budget in which two thirds of the savings are based on those with social insurance”.
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The debates in the Senate will also put back on the table the criticized proposal to create a second day of solidarity for the benefit of the elderly in the form of a package of seven “solidarity hours” annual – a measure to which the President of the Senate, Gérard Larcher (LR), gave his support –, and more broadly the question of working time, a strong marker of the right. On prevention, senators should agree on an increase in taxation on sugary drinks, tobacco and gambling. And discussions promise to be lively on learning aid or work stoppages. Will the final text remain compatible with the government project? The solemn vote scheduled for November 26 will in any case say a lot about the unity of the Barnier camp.
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What are Gérard Larcher’s views on the impact of the Social Security budget on citizens’ welfare?
**Interview with Gérard Larcher, President of the Senate**
**Interviewer:** Good evening, Mr. Larcher. Thank you for joining us today. As we approach the Senate’s examination of the Social Security budget, what are your initial thoughts on the current situation, especially considering the unprecedented delays in the National Assembly?
**Gérard Larcher:** Good evening, and thank you for having me. Indeed, the situation we find ourselves in is quite unusual, especially under the Fifth Republic. It’s imperative that the Senate steps in to ensure that we can move forward with a thorough examination of the Social Security financing bill. We cannot afford delays any longer.
**Interviewer:** The government is pursuing 15 billion euros in savings. How does the Senate plan to navigate the challenges this presents, particularly with over 800 amendments on the table?
**Gérard Larcher:** Our priority is to engage in constructive debates that will allow us to analyze each amendment’s implications carefully. While the savings target is ambitious, we also have to ensure that we balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of our citizens. There are hard decisions ahead, but they are necessary.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned previously that there has been some level of support for the government’s proposals within the Senate. Are there specific areas where you foresee bipartisan cooperation?
**Gérard Larcher:** Certainly. The discussions around pension adjustments indicate a collaborative spirit. We’ve seen constructive dialogues between the government and our coalition partners. We aim to address pension increases in a way that is fair and sustainable, particularly for those on lower incomes.
**Interviewer:** The left has labeled this budget as “an austerity budget.” What is your response to these criticisms?
**Gérard Larcher:** It’s critical to distinguish between austerity and necessary reform. We are faced with challenges that demand tough choices. It’s not about reducing support for our citizens; it’s about ensuring the long-term viability of our Social Security system. We must be courageous in our proposals while considering the welfare of all.
**Interviewer:** as the examination progresses, what message would you like to convey to the public regarding the Senate’s role in shaping the future of Social Security?
**Gérard Larcher:** I want to assure the public that the Senate is committed to transparency and dialogue in this process. We are here to serve the interests of the people and will work diligently to find solutions that uphold the integrity of our Social Security system. The goal is to foster a sustainable future for all citizens.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Larcher, for sharing your insights today. We look forward to following the progress of these discussions.
**Gérard Larcher:** Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure.
