AFP, Paris :
France’s parliament adopted a key package of economic reforms Friday, after an agonising passage in which the government forced the measures through the house without a vote three times.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Thursday again resorted to a little-used constitutional procedure to push through the reforms-which are seen as vital to energise France’s sluggish economy-without lawmakers voting.
The Socialist government survived two confidence votes in less than six months over the move, but this time the opposition did not submit a censure motion, and the law is now considered formally adopted.
“Our economy is, as we know, hampered by blockages. We must remove them and tackle them methodically,” Valls said.
“It is perhaps even more useful today, at a time when the world is confronted with the Greek crisis but also the worrying situation in China. We must do everything for growth and activity.”
With growth estimated at a meagre one to 1.2 percent this year and unemployment rates stuck at 10 percent, the government was in a hurry to implement the law in a bid to revitalise the economy.
However, the proposals proved highly divisive from the beginning and a group of between 30 and 40 MPs on the left flank of the Socialist Party vowed to vote against the package, regarding it as too right-wing.
France’s parliament adopted a key package of economic reforms Friday, after an agonising passage in which the government forced the measures through the house without a vote three times.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Thursday again resorted to a little-used constitutional procedure to push through the reforms-which are seen as vital to energise France’s sluggish economy-without lawmakers voting.
The Socialist government survived two confidence votes in less than six months over the move, but this time the opposition did not submit a censure motion, and the law is now considered formally adopted.
“Our economy is, as we know, hampered by blockages. We must remove them and tackle them methodically,” Valls said.
“It is perhaps even more useful today, at a time when the world is confronted with the Greek crisis but also the worrying situation in China. We must do everything for growth and activity.”
With growth estimated at a meagre one to 1.2 percent this year and unemployment rates stuck at 10 percent, the government was in a hurry to implement the law in a bid to revitalise the economy.
However, the proposals proved highly divisive from the beginning and a group of between 30 and 40 MPs on the left flank of the Socialist Party vowed to vote against the package, regarding it as too right-wing.
