Far-right files no-confidence motion against French PM over new energy law

France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party submitted a ​no-confidence motion on Monday (February 23, 2026) against the ‌government following the adoption of ​a new energy law, ⁠which outlines long-term energy targets.

The motion is unlikely to succeed, however, ‌with the Socialist Party — a crucial swing vote in ‌the fragmented Assembly — indicating it ‌will ⁠not support the effort.

France ⁠unveiled a long-delayed energy strategy this month that scaled down renewable energy ​goals and ‌eased pressure on the state-run utility EDF by reversing a mandate to shut down 14 nuclear ‌reactors.

RN leader Marine Le Pen ​has accused the government of bypassing Parliamentary oversight ⁠by implementing the plan through decree, saying it will drive up ‌energy prices and push higher costs onto households and businesses.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s government, which lacks a Parliamentary majority, survived two no-confidence votes this month ‌after pushing a delayed budget through ​the National Assembly.

Socialist lawmaker Jerome Guedj told France Info ⁠radio that the party had “negotiated with ⁠the government to bring stability, not to have chaos”, ‌and did not plan to support the no-confidence motion.