French Government Faces Two Motions of Censure over Energy Roadmap

On February 25, 2026, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is confronting two motions of censure in response to the government’s newly published energy roadmap, which was issued by decree on February 12. These motions, originating from the National Rally (RN) and La France Insoumise (LFI), challenge the government’s emphasis on nuclear energy and its method of bypassing parliamentary legislation.

The government’s energy strategy aims to revive decarbonized electricity production, focusing heavily on nuclear power while curbing onshore wind and solar energy deployment. The RN criticizes this strategy as an "illiberal act against Parliament" for using a decree instead of enacting a law and condemns the reliance on intermittent energy sources under European Commission directives. In contrast, LFI opposes the focus on nuclear energy and calls for an accelerated transition to renewables to meet climate urgency.

Despite these motions, neither is expected to secure the necessary 289 votes to topple the government. The Socialist Party (PS) has publicly refused to support LFI’s motion, arguing that a censure would obstruct needed investments in renewable energy due to the lack of clear policy direction. Additionally, a majority of communist deputies are expected to abstain from voting on LFI's motion because of divergent views on energy issues, although the Ecologist group plans to support it.

Prime Minister Lecornu has stated that the parliamentary review of these motions is a prerequisite for a prospective government reshuffle, which could occur soon. The motions reflect the political tension surrounding the government’s energy approach, juxtaposing the far-right and far-left critiques against more moderate left-wing positions that emphasize the importance of renewables.

This political debate unfolds amid wider concerns over extremism, with Lecornu recently condemning violence from both far-right and far-left factions. He has specifically criticized La France Insoumise for not addressing extremism within its ranks, emphasizing the necessity of rejecting violence universally for political credibility.