France to Force 2026 Budget Through Article 49.3 on Jan. 20 as Opposition Files No-Confidence Motions

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu cites 350 hours of stalled debate, pointing to a plan that trims most spending while raising defense outlays.

Overview

LFI’s Mathilde Panot and RN’s Marine Le Pen said their parties will submit censure motions in response to the forced adoption.
The government survives only if no motion secures 289 of 577 votes, which would otherwise compel its resignation and block the budget.
President Emmanuel Macron, via government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot, says the budget will help the country move forward.
Lecornu acknowledges he previously pledged not to use Article 49.3 for this budget but argues the stalemate leaves no alternative.
The budget blueprint cuts most expenditures while increasing defense spending by €6.7 billion, heightening the political stakes.