Overview

• The Monday briefing seeks to build backing for a budget that targets more than €40 billion in spending reductions.
• Measures proposed include scrapping two public holidays and keeping welfare benefits and tax brackets at 2025 levels in 2026 without inflation indexation.
• Taxi drivers plan to resume demonstrations on September 5 over medical-trip compensation changes, with broader protests called for September 10 by leftist parties and some unions.
• Bayrou argues the push is urgent as France’s deficit reached 5.8% of GDP last year, nearly double the European Union’s 3% limit.
• Criticism from both left and right has revived the risk of a no-confidence vote, recalling the challenge that toppled Michel Barnier in late 2024.