French Socialists Refuse to Back Mercosur No Confidence Motions

France’s Socialist Party said it will not support two no-confidence motions linked to the government’s stance on the European Union’s Mercosur trade agreement, reducing the likelihood of a parliamentary challenge to the minority government.

The motions were tabled separately by the far-right National Rally and the hard-left France Unbowed, both criticising the government over its position on the long-discussed EU-Mercosur deal, which aims to strengthen trade ties between the EU and South American countries including Brazil and Argentina.

Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure said his party would not vote for the motions, arguing that the Mercosur issue did not justify bringing down the government. He said the Socialists opposed aspects of the trade deal but would not align themselves with the far right to force a no-confidence vote.

• French Socialists refuse to back no-confidence motions over EU-Mercosur trade deal
• Lack of Socialist support weakens parliamentary challenge to France’s minority government
• No-confidence bids on Mercosur seen as unlikely to pass amid divided opposition

Without Socialist backing, the motions face steep odds in the National Assembly, where the government lacks an outright majority but opposition parties remain divided. Lawmakers on the left have consistently ruled out cooperating with the National Rally, limiting the scope for coordinated action.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has sought to contain political instability following months of fragile parliamentary arithmetic. He has said he wants to avoid both the collapse of the government and the dissolution of parliament, although preparations have been made for possible snap elections if a no-confidence motion were to pass.

Tensions have increased after a parliamentary committee rejected the government’s draft budget, raising concerns over fiscal planning in the euro zone’s second-largest economy. The budget setback has forced the government into negotiations with centrist and moderate left parties to secure support.

Lecornu has criticised the no-confidence initiatives as tactical moves rather than substantive challenges, saying they risk weakening France’s position at a sensitive economic moment. Talks are continuing with several parties, excluding National Rally and France Unbowed, to try to reach a budget compromise.

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The no-confidence motions are expected to be debated in parliament next week but are widely expected to fail due to insufficient support.