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By IANS
PARIS: The French parliament on Tuesday rejected two motions of censorship against the government of President Emmanuel Macron over a scandal involving his bodyguard, now become older.
The first proposal, presented by conservative Republicans, garnered 143 votes in the National Assembly, less than half of the 289 required, while only 74 lawmakers supported the second motion presented by Socialists, Communists and left-wing France Rogue)
Although the Conservatives and the Left abstained on motions from the other, even their combined total – 217 – would be well below the threshold of 289 votes.
Motions of censure were largely rejected. considered symbolic, given that the Central African Republic of Macron (The Republic in motion) holds an absolute majority in the Assembly.
During the debate on the approaching vote, Prime Minister Edouard P hilippe defended the Macron government's response to video footage published by Le Monde that showed presidential bodyguard Alexandre Benalla, 26, beating Protesters at a demonstration of May 1, 2018.
"The events of May 1 say nothing of the presidency of the republic" Philip told lawmakers. "Attempts to blame the president serve no interest other than politics."
Macron dismissed Benalla after Le Monde released the video.
The Benalla affair is one of the biggest political challenges facing Macron since taking office in May 2017.
A parliamentary inquiry into Benalla's actions is underway.
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