French PM Pushes for 2026 Budget Despite Parliament Tensions

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on Monday said his government remains determined to secure approval of the 2026 budget before the end of the year, even after the lower house rejected its tax component over the weekend.

Lecornu said there is still time to get the budget through parliament and insisted that a workable majority exists in the National Assembly. He urged opposition parties not to use the budget process to force a no-confidence vote.

The government aims to keep the 2026 fiscal deficit below 5% of GDP, revising earlier projections of 4.7%. The draft budget includes more than €30 billion in planned savings through spending cuts and targeted tax increases. Lecornu acknowledged that lawmakers will likely make significant changes as the bill moves through both chambers.

• French PM Lecornu urges rapid approval of the 2026 budget amid a split parliament
• Government warns delays could trigger political instability and fiscal uncertainty
• Senate review and final re-vote will determine whether Macron’s minority government avoids a deeper budget crisis

After the tax section was rejected, the budget now heads to the Senate, where further amendments are expected. A joint committee of both houses will then attempt to produce a final version for a new vote in the National Assembly.

The setback highlights the difficulties facing President Emmanuel Macron’s minority government, which must navigate a fragmented parliament. Both left-wing and far-right blocs have signalled they will challenge the budget aggressively.

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Failure to pass the 2026 budget could leave the government exposed to political instability and raise questions about France’s fiscal direction heading into next year.