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France Convenes Budget Talks as Lecornu Threatens Dissolution Ahead of Censure Votes

The Socialist Party rejects Mercosur-based censure motions, narrowing their prospects as the executive weighs a 49.3 path to secure a 2026 budget.

Overview

  • Public Accounts Minister Amélie de Montchalin is hosting parliamentary groups at Bercy on Monday to seek compromises, aiming for a budget solution by the end of January.
  • The Assembly’s finance commission rejected the 2026 budget on Saturday, with full debates set to begin Tuesday and two censure motions on Mercosur slated for examination Wednesday.
  • Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered preparations for potential early legislative elections on 15 and 22 March alongside municipal polls, drawing sharp criticism from mayors over logistics and politicization.
  • PS leader Olivier Faure confirmed his group will not back the RN and LFI censure motions on Mercosur and will assess any budget-related censure based on the government’s final text.
  • Facing the impasse, the government is considering 49.3 or ordinances, as figures like François Hollande, Michel Barnier and Eric Lombard urge a 49.3 move, and Montchalin warns a successful censure would halt budget work and trigger dissolution before the municipal elections.