Making a bill a matter of confidence in the Government

Article 49, paragraph 3, of the Constitution allows the Prime Minister, following deliberation by the Council of Ministers, to make the passage of a bill a matter of confidence in the Government before the National Assembly.

Passage of the bill or a vote of no confidence

The bill is considered passed unless a motion of no confidence, tabled within the constitutional time limit, is carried. This mechanism thus links the fate of the bill to the Government remaining in office.

Key point: this power is governed by the Constitution. It applies to finance bills and social security financing bills, as well as one other government bill or private member’s bill per session. It does not remove the possibility of a parliamentary vote of no confidence.