French government survives two no-confidence votes on energy law

PARIS, Feb 25 (Reuters) - ‌The French ​government ​survived two no-confidence motions in parliament on Wednesday that were brought after it adopted ‌a new energy law by decree earlier in ⁠February, following years of disagreement in the National Assembly over ‌the measure.

The motion, filed ‌by France's far-right National Rally (RN) party, was backed by 140 members of parliament; 289 votes are needed ​for the motion to pass. The second motion, filed by hard-left France Unbowed (LFI), was backed by ⁠108 members of parliament.

The failed votes give Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's minority government ​some breathing room after several attempts to unseat it since taking office. The government ​survived two other no-confidence votes earlier ‌this year after pushing a delayed budget through the National Assembly. Still, the ⁠country's politics remain unsettled, with President Emmanuel Macron facing low approval ratings as he nears the end of ⁠his second term.

France set out a long-delayed energy strategy earlier this ​month that scaled back its renewable energy goals and eased pressure on state-run utility Electricite de France (EDF) by reversing a ‌mandate to shut down 14 nuclear reactors.

The law had triggered fierce debate among ‌lawmakers pitting support for renewable subsidies against those ⁠advocating for financing new ‌nuclear energy at ​a time when France is struggling with high debt.

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon, editing by Inti ‌Ladnauro)

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