The recent dissolution of the National Assembly by Emmanuel Macron has caused a significant halt to various legislative works, including the controversial 'end of life' law. This legislative proposal, which promised to open assistance in dying, has been rendered obsolete due to the dissolution, and all parliamentary work on it has been suspended. This means that any progress made, including debates and agreements reached, is now null and void. According to parliamentary regulations, the end of a legislature makes all bills currently being read obsolete. Yaël Braun-Pivet, the President of the National Assembly before the dissolution, confirmed that the text on the end of life would have to be re-submitted by a new government, effectively restarting the process from scratch.
This return to square one comes amid a backdrop of political upheaval, notably marked by the National Rally's strong performance in the European elections. The ordinary session for 2023-2024, which commenced in October and was supposed to run until July, has seen all planned events and legislative discussions come to an abrupt end. Constitutional expert Guillaume Tusseau explained that any text scheduled for a vote or further discussion would need to start afresh if taken up in the next mandate, and some might even be discarded if the new government does not prioritize them.
Aside from the 'end of life' bill, several other significant legislative pieces have been similarly affected. For example, the bill concerning inheritance bank fees, which had been adopted at the first reading by the Senate, will no longer advance without renewed attention from the next Assembly. The 'anti-Airbnb' bill, aimed at better regulating the short-term rental market, is another casualty. This bill sought to modify tax reductions for furnished tourist accommodations and implement stricter energy decency requirements. Although it was adopted at first reading, it will now have to begin the legislative process anew.
Additionally, several commissions of inquiry have also been halted. These include inquiries into violence in various sectors such as cinema and advertising, the failures of child protection policies, the growth of national debt since 2017, and the loss of France's food sovereignty. Notably, a commission investigating nuclear tests conducted in French Polynesia until the late 1990s, and another probing the legal and financial arrangements of the A69 motorway, have also been suspended.
The decision to dissolve the National Assembly marks a significant interruption in France's legislative process, with many anticipated reforms now in limbo. The future of these legislative efforts, from the 'end of life' law to various impactful bills, hinges on the outcomes of the upcoming legislative elections and the priorities of the next government.
- The dissolution of the National Assembly comes as a direct consequence of the political landscape in France, particularly due to the overwhelming response to the National Rally in the European elections. This unexpected turn of events has thrown a wrench in the legislative agenda, affecting not just the 'end of life' bill but all bills under consideration.
- The comprehensive parliamentary halt has sparked concerns over several key legislative reforms that were in various stages of completion. Lawmakers who may reintroduce these bills will do so with a clean slate, nullifying any previous agreements or progress.
- Emmanuel Macron's government must now navigate through this period of uncertainty, focusing on the upcoming legislative elections and the potential reshaping of parliamentary priorities. This period offers an opportunity for newly elected officials to reassess the legislative landscape and determine which bills to prioritize.
- Observers are closely watching how the legislative agenda might shift post-elections, particularly regarding controversial issues such as the 'end of life' law and the regulation of short-term rentals like Airbnb. The dissolution adds a layer of unpredictability to France's political climate, with lasting impacts on its legislative framework.
