France Adopts 2026 Budget After PM Survives No-Confidence Votes

Does France's budget represent responsible compromise or complete immobility that fails to address the debt crisis?

Published 13 hours ago

France Adopts 2026 Budget After PM Survives No-Confidence Votes

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Above: French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu in the National Assembly in Paris on Jan. 30, 2025. Image credit: Adnan Farzat/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

France secured a responsible budget that controls public spending without raising taxes on households and businesses. The government fulfilled its constitutional duty under the Fifth Republic to set national policy while accepting parliamentary oversight. This compromise text incorporates amendments from all political groups and represents genuine parliamentary collaboration.

Eric Lombard on X

Sebastien Lecornu on X

Government-critical narrative

This budget represents complete immobility and fails to address France's debt crisis, requiring €100 billion in annual cuts just to stabilize finances. The text offers zero investment in the future, only operating expenses like handouts, while forcing companies to bear hidden tax increases that will ultimately hurt workers and consumers through higher prices and job losses.

Libération Boulevard Voltaire

Metaculus Prediction

Public Figures

Sebastien Lecornu