What happens next? The first few days of the new Assemblée Nationale (2024)

After Sunday's legislative elections, the Assemblée Nationale is preparing to welcome its new members, who officially start their mandate on Wednesday. The 16^th legislature of the Fifth Republic will then open its first session on June 28. Here are the key dates for the start of this new legislature

Monday, June 20 to Friday, June 24: First days at the Palais-Bourbon for MPs

Before their first legislative session, the elected MPs are welcomed to the Assemblée Nationale (located in the Palais Bourbon, in Paris' 7^th arrondissem*nt) to register and receive a briefcase containing the blue-white-and-red sash and co*ckade and the Assemblée rulebook. They also have their official portrait taken.

This transition week should allow everyone to find their bearings and join a political group – 15 MPs are needed to form one – which gives more resources and speaking time. The new group of MPs from the presidential party La République en Marche plans to elect its group president on Wednesday, during their seminar. The Socialists will do so on Thursday.

This week could also see the appointment of new government ministers, possibly drawing from the pool of arriving MPs.

Tuesday, June 28: First session and election of the Assemblée president

The first session of the 16^th legislature will open Tuesday, June 28, at 3 pm. Until the election of a new president, it will be chaired by the oldest MP, José Gonzalez, 79, and far-right Rassemblement National MP from the Bouches-du-Rhône department. He will be assisted by the six youngest MPs. The first item on the agenda will be to elect a new president, via secret ballot.

The outgoing president, Richard Ferrand (2018-2022), a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, lost his seat in the second round of the legislative elections.

June 28, 6 pm, also marks the deadline for forming political groups. Their composition will be officially published the following day.

Wednesday, June 29: Choosing the Assemblée's leadership

For their second session, starting at 3 pm, MPs will appoint the 22 members of the "bureau" of the Assembléee Nationale, a sort of board of directors for the institution. It includes six vice-presidents and three quaestors (in charge of administrating the institution).

The composition of the bureau is supposed to reflect the political configuration of the Assemblée. Each group will have a given number of points to spend, according to their size, to choose positions of responsibility. Some rules apply to guarantee the opposition certain roles, for instance, one of the three quaestor positions.

Thursday, June 30: First committee meetings

Every member must join one of the eight standing committees at the Assemblée – finance, law, cultural affairs and education, economic affairs, foreign affairs, social affairs, defense, and sustainable development. These committees will then meet to elect their respective presidents, vice-presidents and secretaries.

The Finance Committee, with its extensive powers, can only be chaired by a member of the opposition. A duel is already underway between the far-right Rassemblement National, with its historic score of 89 MPs, and left-wing La France Insoumise, 75 MPs.

On June 30, groups will also decide on where they sit in the Assemblée and which offices they move into.

Tuesday, July 5: Prime Minister Borne's government policy statement to MPs

On July 5, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne will address MPs to make her government policy statement, a formal speech made by every new prime minister.

This speech is usually followed by a vote of confidence in the government, though this is not mandatory. The vote makes it possible to count support for the reforms announced, sometimes even from outside the majority and gives momentum for the future.

Weeks of July 11 and July 18: First bills

Legislative work is expected to begin soon on a health bill providing for measures to Covid-19 contagion low. It will be presented in session during the week of July 11, before going to the Sénat the following week, according to a parliamentary source.

Most importantly, the bill on purchasing power will be presented to the Council of Ministers on July 6 and arrive in Parliament during the week of July 18. MPs will therefore have to sit until the beginning of August, possibly until August 9, before their summer recess.