"Principle of responsibility": Dominique de Villepin is not in favor of adopting a motion of censure

Often praised by a section of the left for his discourse on the situation in the Near and Middle East, Dominique de Villepin is, of course, in disagreement with it on many subjects, he being the former Prime Minister of Jacques Chirac.

As a member of parliament, he would certainly not have voted for the motion of censure on pensions presented by the socialists and voted for by the ecologists, the communists and the rebels.

The 71-year-old, who has made no secret of his presidential ambitions without taking the step of declaring his candidacy, invoked a "principle of responsibility" this Friday, July 4, on France 2. This implies "not changing government every two weeks," he believes, adding:

"France is suffering from this political instability. It is suffering from this lack of political predictability. And that is why the country is at a standstill. The country is at a standstill economically. Wages are at a standstill. It is this hope, this perspective, that we must restore to our country."

Are his words shared by the opposition? Ahead of the budget review this fall, preceded by the presentation of the "major guidelines" by Prime Minister François Bayrou on July 15, the threat of censure is growing. The National Rally is clearly allowing it to hang in the balance, having so far refused to overthrow François Bayrou.

If the far-right party joined forces with the left, the government would be overthrown. According to an Ifop-Fiducial poll for Sud Radio, conducted between July 2 and 3, 56% of French people are in favor of such a scenario.