After months of contentious debate and facing a potential government collapse, FranceS 2026 budget has been approved following a series of closely watched no-confidence votes [[1]]. The budget aims to reduce the national deficit to 5% of GDP, a key concern as France remains under EU scrutiny for its debt levels [[3]]. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu utilized a controversial constitutional maneuver to push the budget through parliament, prompting opposition from both the left and right wings of the National Assembly [[2]].
Das Haushaltsdefizit des hoch verschuldeten Landes soll auf fünf Prozent des Bruttoinlandsprodukts gesenkt werden.
France’s minority government has secured passage of its 2026 budget, averting a potential collapse after months of political wrangling and repeated votes of no confidence. The outcome is significant as France faces scrutiny over its national debt and is currently subject to an EU deficit procedure.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s government survived two further no-confidence votes in the National Assembly related to the budget dispute. The votes, held on Thursday, saw 260 and then 135 of 577 lawmakers express no confidence in the center-aligned cabinet. With the budget now officially approved, Lecornu’s administration remains in power.
The motions of no confidence were brought forward by parties on the left – including the Left, Green, and Communist factions – as well as the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen. Both sides objected to Lecornu’s use of a special constitutional article to push the budget through without a final vote in the National Assembly, a move critics have labeled undemocratic. Despite extensive negotiations, a compromise on the budget proved elusive.
The approved budget aims to reduce France’s deficit to 5% of gross domestic product. While initial goals for austerity were more ambitious, the plan is expected to be welcomed by France’s economic partners within the EU.
In recent weeks, Lecornu and his government had already overcome four votes of no confidence concerning specific aspects of the budget. Support from Socialist lawmakers, secured through concessions, had made it likely the government would survive the challenges. Previous prime ministers François Bayrou and Michel Barnier both left office following parliamentary disputes over budgetary matters.
With the budget battle resolved, President Emmanuel Macron’s ally, Lecornu, can now turn his attention to other priorities. A minor government reshuffle is anticipated, as several cabinet members, including Culture Minister Rachida Dati, are candidates in upcoming French municipal elections in March. (APA)
