Overview

• In his first statement since taking office, the prime minister said he will not use Article 49.3, including for the budget, asserting that parliamentary debates will begin next week with lawmakers holding the final say.
• Ahead of meetings with the Socialists and the National Rally, he floated a tax on financial assets in place of the left’s Zucman proposal and a reinstated wealth tax, and promised a purchasing‑power measure in the budget.
• Socialist leader Olivier Faure welcomed the change in method but demanded a parliamentary vote on the 2023 pension reform to test the government’s stance and denounced the emerging budget as insufficient.
• Marine Le Pen called the move more democratic yet saw no policy rupture, La France insoumise voiced distrust and talked up censure, and Les Républicains pressed for concrete written commitments.
• Measures under study include improved pension calculations for mothers, an income‑tax cut for couples earning just above the minimum wage, tax‑free overtime and restoring the Macron bonus, alongside trims to state operating costs and dropping a plan to scrap two public holidays.