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French gov't holds emergency cabinet meeting ahead economic reforms vote

Xinhua, February 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday headed an emergency cabinet meeting ahead of parliamentary vote on a controversial economic bill likely to pass by a narrow majority.

At 2:30 p.m. local time (1330 GMT), the French government called an extraordinary cabinet meeting which "of course, is about the approval of (reform) law," the news channel BFMTV quoted a source close to the government as saying.

According to local reports, Prime Minister Manuel Valls could exercise Article 49-3, which would allow the Socialists to go through with their Law on Growth and Activity bill without needing to seek lawmakers' approval. However, opponents could censure the government and seek a vote of no confidence.

Presented by Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron, the controversial series of laws is aimed at unblocking the eurozone's second leading economic power, which is haunted by a long-running rise in unemployment and waning growth.

The 37-year-old former banker wants to let shops open up to 12 Sundays a year, up from five currently, with more flexibility on opening hours in tourist zones.

Macron also outlined other measures, including transport liberalization, in order "to remove hurdles to revive (economic) activity."

Blaming a shift to pro-business policy, several lawmakers from Hollande's camp said they opposed the law, which was, according to them, contrary to the Socialist Party's values and principles.

A large majority of the conservative Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party and centrists also announced they would block the law, posing a hard test to Hollande who is already under fire for failing to deliver on his promises to promote growth, trim the wide budget gap, and create jobs.

"I will take all my responsibilities because the text is useful for the country, and it is out of the question to challenge the text...I will do everything to pass the law," Valls told the French Parliament a few hours ahead of the vote scheduled for 5:00 p.m. (1600 GMT). Enditem