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National Assembly Narrowly Backs 2026 Social Security Budget After Concessions

The vote propels a compromise Social Security plan to the Senate for further examination.

Overview

  • The bill passed in second reading by 247 votes to 234 without use of Article 49.3, carried by Socialist support and key abstentions from Les Républicains, Horizons and Ecologist deputies.
  • The text reinstates suspension of the pension reform until January 2028 and raises the health spending target (ONDAM) from 2% to 3% via a last‑minute amendment.
  • Other provisions include a limited CSG increase on capital income, inflation revaluation of pensions and social benefits, a new birth leave from 2026, a one‑month cap on initial sick notes, and an exceptional levy on complementary health insurers.
  • The government projects a €19.6 billion Social Security deficit in 2026 if enacted, compared with about €30 billion without a PLFSS, figures criticized by some centrists as relying on accounting transfers.
  • The measure now moves to the right‑leaning Senate for rapid review this week, while an alleged vote‑pressure complaint raised by Ecologists is being referred to the judiciary after a denial from the prime minister.