Overview

• Following a large, unitary day of protest, Sébastien Lecornu said he will receive trade union leaders again in the coming days to discuss the budget.
• The Socialist Party ruled out joining the government but is negotiating a non-censure path and has tabled a counter-budget that halves the initial €44 billion savings, while pressing for wealth taxation and a pension reform pause.
• Eric Ciotti presented a rival plan calling for about €120 billion in cuts, targeting immigration, social spending, EU contributions and development aid, and set red lines including no tax hikes.
• The new cabinet is not expected before late September or early October, likely after Emmanuel Macron returns from the UN, with outgoing ministers continuing in caretaker roles as leaders weigh Assembly timing constraints.
• Lecornu has signaled limited room to shrink the savings effort below roughly €37–38 billion and has dropped the public-holidays measure, and some economists warn a stalemate could lead to a special law rolling over 2025 spending.