Particle.news
Download on the App Store

French Government Survives Twin No-Confidence Votes Over 2026 Budget Tactics

The government plans another use of Article 49.3 to pass spending under market and EU pressure to curb the deficit.

Overview

  • Lawmakers rejected a left-led censure by 269 votes and a far-right motion by 142, short of the 289 needed to topple the cabinet.
  • Lecornu already used Article 49.3 to enact the revenue bill and is expected to deploy it again for expenditures, a step likely to trigger fresh censure bids.
  • Officials expect the full 2026 budget to be finalized in the first half of February after the remaining steps in the Assembly and Senate.
  • Government projections show a deficit near 5% of GDP in 2026 and debt around 118.2% of GDP, with a pledge to meet EU rules by 2029.
  • The plan trims most spending but lifts defense outlays by €6.7 billion, after centrists accepted last-minute concessions to avoid bringing down the government.