Overview
- Parliamentary budget debates were suspended after officials said no compromise was reachable, halting progress on a 2026 deal.
- Sébastien Lecornu unveiled sweeteners for the Socialists, including support for low earners, a one‑euro student cafeteria meal, and 2,000 new education posts.
- The government is weighing Article 49.3 or an adoption by decree, with Socialists signaling openness to 49.3 and rejecting a decree that would revert to the original draft.
- Another no‑confidence bid is likely after the minority administration already survived two such votes earlier in the week.
- The stalemate follows a December carryover of the current budget into 2026, limiting new savings or spending as France confronts record debt near 117% of GDP and a goal to cut the deficit below 5%.