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French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed on Monday that he will push his 2026 budget bill through parliament without a vote, ending weeks of failed negotiations with lawmakers.
Speaking at a news conference, Lecornu said he would use Article 49.3 of the constitution, which allows the government to pass legislation without a vote but opens the door to a no-confidence motion.
He said the decision was taken “with a certain degree of regret and a bit of bitterness” and described the process as a “partial success, partial failure.”
Lecornu had previously promised not to force an austerity budget through parliament, after two former prime ministers were removed following budget disputes. However, talks on state spending broke down, even though a separate bill on social security spending was approved before the end of last year.
“Everyone is also coming to the conclusion that we’re heading into a dead end,” Lecornu said, adding that it had become impossible to pass the full budget by a vote.
The move puts Lecornu’s centre-right government at risk of being brought down by a no-confidence vote. Both the far-right National Rally and the hard-left France Unbowed said they would file such motions.
President Emmanuel Macron backed the budget, saying it would ensure stability and allow the country to move forward, according to a government spokesperson.
Lecornu said the budget would keep the public deficit at five per cent.
However, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right RN, condemned Lecornu’s “irresponsible announcement” and demanded “harsh punishment for politicians who choose to ruin our country to save their seats.”
Since Macron called a snap election in 2024 and lost his parliamentary majority, the second-largest economy in the eurozone has been mired in political turmoil.
