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French Budget Stalls in Assembly as Deadline Nears, Senate Likely to Take Over

A backlog of more than 1,500 amendments has postponed the revenue vote, making a first‑reading of spending in the lower house improbable.

Overview

  • The solemn vote on the revenue section, planned for Monday, was delayed after 1,527 amendments were still pending at the close of Friday’s session.
  • By 23 November at midnight the finance bill must leave the National Assembly, which would shift the text to the Senate for a 15‑day examination if the revenues are not adopted.
  • Government figures deny seeking to enact the budget by ordinance, though experts say a temporary reconduction law or, ultimately, an ordinance could guarantee a budget by 1 January 2026.
  • Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is reported to have ruled out using article 49.3 to force passage in the Assembly.
  • Citing fatigue, deputies halted weekend sittings after authorization to return to constituencies, capping a schedule already compressed by the bill’s one‑week‑late filing on 14 October.