The National Rally (RN) parliamentary group filed a no-confidence motion against the government on Monday, February 23, protesting the energy strategy adopted by decree on February 13. The party criticizes both the form of the decision and its content, seen as unfavorable to nuclear power and public finances. The motion will be examined at the earliest on Wednesday, but its chances of passing remain slim.
The National Rally (RN) responded to the decree publication of the multi-annual energy program (PPE) for 2025-2035, unveiled by the government on February 12 after three years of intense debates and successive delays. This strategy emphasizes boosting consumption of decarbonized electricity, mainly nuclear, to replace costly imported fossil fuels. It however plans a reduced rollout of onshore wind and solar power.
The no-confidence motion, filed by the RN group in the National Assembly, protests what it calls an « illiberal act against Parliament », arguing the government should have used legislation as per the energy code. On substance, the RN condemns « a downward policy that accelerates intermittent energies, lies about nuclear, and poses a major risk to public finances ». According to a group source, this move follows a call by Marine Le Pen, the group president, urging opposing deputies to act or the RN would do so itself.
The party also highlights an « irrational choice » of intermittent energies, dictated by the European Commission. The motion cannot be examined before Wednesday due to a 48-hour delay, and it is unlikely to pass, as previous RN motions have never gained left-wing support.
Meanwhile, the right-wing Senate voices similar concerns over the decree procedure. A debate is scheduled for Monday afternoon in the Senate, requested by its president, Gérard Larcher.
