"She is dead and buried": in Parliament, the public broadcasting law in a new deadlock
The public broadcasting law, championed by Rachida Dati, has faced significant delays and is unlikely to be adopted before the end of Macron's presidency.
The public broadcasting law, referred to as a "cursed reform" by some, has encountered yet another setback in the French Parliament, as it has reportedly been removed from the legislative agenda for the coming months. This situation suggests that the long-anticipated reform, which aimed to transform the French audiovisual landscape, may not see the light of day before the end of President Emmanuel Macron's term. Rachida Dati, the Minister of Culture who has ardently supported this initiative, has seen the proposed law struggle significantly in Parliament over the years, leading some insiders to speculate that it may be ultimately abandoned.
Despite expectations from various parliamentarians for the bill to be reconsidered soon, a member of the government shared that it is "no longer on the agenda". This bleak outlook is a stark indication of the challenges faced by the government in pushing through significant reforms amidst a complicated legislative environment. The absence of clear political support signals potential discord within the ruling party regarding the reform's viability and strategic importance.
As the deadline for legislative actions looms closer, the implications of this deadlock extend beyond the immediate fate of the broadcasting law. It reflects broader struggles within the French government to implement ambitious reforms, particularly in sectors deeply intertwined with public interest and media influence. The situation raises questions about the future direction of audiovisual policy in France and the administration's ability to fulfill its reform agenda before the parliamentary term concludes.