the Assembly votes 12 billion euros more, another setback for the government

Another setback for the government at the Palais Bourbon. The National Assembly voted this Monday evening on left-wing amendments which provide for the addition of nearly 12 billion euros in credits for the thermal renovation of housing.

The National Rally supported these environmentalist and PS amendments. Even if the government will probably not retain them in the final version of the budget, this is a new setback for the presidential camp deprived of an absolute majority in the Assembly.

Lack of « coherence »

The oppositions have crushed the balance sheet of « MaPrimeRénov' », the renovation aid mechanism set up in 2020. The deputies adopted in quick succession an environmental amendment of 6.85 billion credits, then another socialist of 5 billions of additional euros, despite the macronists’ calls for « responsibility ». EELV MP Eva Sas called for “going much further” in terms of “global renovation” of housing. “You are not up to it,” she told the government.

The Minister for the Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu, pointed to a lack of “coherence” in the opposition which adds “billions of euros to a system which you tell us does not work”. « You are juggling with billions », criticized in turn his colleague from the Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher. “Help us rather build vocational training courses” in thermal renovation, because the “order books” of specialized companies are “filled”, she insisted.

A very severe report

“The amounts are justified”, replied RN Jean-Philippe Tanguy before calling Ministers Agnès Pannier-Runacher and Clément Beaune (Transport) “bad”, and prompting a point of order. MaPrimeRenov’ is « very far from the objectives », with only « 2,500 thermal strainers » renovated, pointed out LR Véronique Louwagie. The general rapporteur for the budget, Jean-René Cazeneuve (Renaissance), criticized the left-wing coalition Nupes and the RN for “voting together”: “you applaud each other, I will never get used to it”.

The Court of Auditors recently issued a very severe report on the policy of energy renovation of buildings: « there is a lack of strong and effective management and an efficient public support service », she lamented. The government will very probably again resort to the constitutional weapon of 49.3 on this part of the budget and will have the possibility of dismissing these amendments.