Overview
- After 125 hours of debate, the Assemblée nationale rejected the revenue section of the 2026 state budget by 404 to 1 with 84 abstentions, exposing the fragility of the governing bloc.
- Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced indicative, theme-based votes under Article 50.1 on “absolute priorities” including defense, energy and agriculture, with a first debate on national defense slated for December 10.
- Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said it is out of the question “at this time” to use Article 49.3, as the government pushes for a negotiated path to year-end adoption.
- The Sénat, led by the right, voted 190–108 to reject suspending the 2023 pension reform and moved to reintroduce a 2026 freeze on most pensions and social benefits, heightening inter-chamber divergence.
- A CMP on the Social Security budget is expected to struggle or fail, pointing to a new Assembly reading next week even as President Emmanuel Macron and PS leader Olivier Faure voice confidence in a compromise.