Far-Right Challenges Government Over Energy Policy
France's far-right National Rally (RN) party submitted a no-confidence motion against the government of Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Monday, February 23, 2026. The move comes in response to the adoption of a new energy law, known as the third Multiannual Energy Program (PPE3), which the RN claims was passed by decree without proper parliamentary oversight.
The motion, led by the RN's parliamentary group, is widely considered unlikely to succeed. The government, which lacks a parliamentary majority, has previously survived multiple no-confidence votes, including two this month following the passage of a delayed budget. A key factor in its expected failure is the Socialist Party's indication that it will not support the motion, despite being a crucial swing vote in the fragmented National Assembly.
Controversial Energy Law at Heart of Dispute
The new energy law, adopted by decree on February 12 or 13, 2026, after nearly three years of political debate, outlines France's long-term energy targets through 2035. It represents a significant shift in national energy policy, notably by:
- Scaling down targets for renewable energy sources, specifically wind and solar power.
- Strengthening support for nuclear power, which is reasserted as the 'backbone' of France's electricity system.
- Reversing a previous mandate to shut down 14 nuclear reactors, thereby easing pressure on the state-run utility EDF.
According to the new legislation, wind and solar targets are reduced by approximately 20% by 2035, while nuclear energy production targets are increased by 5%. French Finance Minister Roland Lescure stated that these changes reflect slower-than-expected electricity demand growth and the government's desire for a stable energy mix.
RN Accusations and Parliamentary Dynamics
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally's parliamentary group, has accused the government of bypassing parliamentary oversight by implementing the energy plan through decree. The RN argues that, under France's Energy Code, a decree establishing a multiannual energy program cannot be adopted without a prior five-year law defining national energy policy objectives, which they claim was not passed. The party also warned that the PPE3 could cost at least 300 billion euros and pose a major risk to public finances, potentially driving up energy prices for households and businesses.
Prime Minister Lecornu's government has frequently relied on Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, which allows the government to force the passage of a bill without a parliamentary vote unless a no-confidence motion is successfully passed. However, for a no-confidence motion to succeed, it requires an absolute majority of votes in the National Assembly, with only votes cast in favor being counted. Absentees and abstentions are effectively counted as votes against the motion, making it challenging for opposition parties to overturn the government.
Outlook for the Motion
Given the current political landscape, with the Socialist Party's refusal to support the RN's initiative, the no-confidence motion is widely expected to fail. Socialist lawmaker Jerome Guedj indicated that his party aims for 'stability, not chaos,' and would therefore not back the motion. This outcome would allow the Lecornu government to continue its implementation of the new energy strategy, despite the strong opposition from the far-right and ongoing parliamentary fragmentation.
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