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Labor Minister Open to Pausing Plan to Limit France's Christmas Bonus

He says the restriction would be suspended if offsetting revenue is found.

Overview

  • The 2026 finance bill proposes reserving the prime de Noël to beneficiaries with children, changing current eligibility rules.
  • On BFMTV, Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou said he could suspend the measure if a compensatory funding source is identified, while stressing the goal of restoring Social Security finances.
  • Economy Minister Roland Lescure called the targeting "quite reasonable" and estimated the savings at a few million euros.
  • The bonus is currently paid each year to more than 2.2 million households, with a single person receiving about €152.
  • Union leaders Marylise Léon (CFDT) and Sophie Binet (CGT) denounced the plan, and left-wing figures including Manuel Bompard criticized it, as testimonies highlighted the impact on childless recipients.