Overview

• Bayrou’s plan targets €43.8 billion in savings for 2026 to cut France’s deficit from 5.8% of GDP in 2024 to 4.6% next year.
• Core measures include freezing most state spending at 2025 levels, excluding defense and debt service, and cutting roughly 3,000 civil service posts through a one-in-three non-replacement rule.
• An “année blanche” will freeze social benefits, pensions and income tax brackets at 2025 levels despite inflation.
• The budget incorporates President Macron’s €3.5 billion defense boost without altering the overall austerity envelope.
• Opposition parties from left and right have already threatened motions of censure if the measures are not revised.