France Prepares for 2026 Budget Discussions Amid Fiscal Challenges
France's government ramps up consultative efforts for the 2026 budget amid strict spending goals.
Key Points
- • Consultations with all political groups before July 11 at Bercy
- • Targeting a budget deficit of 4.6% for 2026
- • Seeking 40 billion euros in savings, with 23 billion already cut for 2025
- • Meeting on June 26 to address new economic risks and uncertainties.
As France prepares for budget discussions for 2026, Minister for Public Accounts Amélie de Montchalin announced that all political groups will be consulted before July 11 at Bercy. The government is targeting a budget deficit of 4.6% despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and the looming threat of motions of censure. To achieve fiscal stability, the government aims to save 40 billion euros, having already cut 23 billion euros from state spending for 2025.
A key meeting is scheduled for June 26 with parliamentarians and social partners to discuss new economic threats and uncertainties that could impact the upcoming budget. Montchalin expressed the importance of maintaining strict fiscal discipline, stating, "We must keep the budget on the spending side," and confirmed no increase in expenditures is planned for 2026. This highlights the government's current challenge as it attempts to manage discussions with its own ministers to enforce spending limitations and fulfill its financial commitments amid a precarious economic landscape.