France's 2026 Budget Definitively Adopted Amid Parliamentary Challenges

After months of intense parliamentary debate and political contention, France's 2026 national budget was definitively adopted on February 2, 2026. The final legislative step followed the rejection of two motions of censure targeting Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's government—one filed by La France insoumise (LFI) alongside environmentalists and communists, and another by the far-right National Rally (RN).

The government employed Article 49.3 of the Constitution, enabling it to bypass a formal parliamentary vote on the finance bill. This maneuver, used three times during the debate, smoothed the path for the budget’s passage despite strong opposition. The left’s motion failed to gain a majority, and the RN’s motion was predictably rejected, affirming the budget’s adoption.

Prime Minister Lecornu expressed satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting that the budget is a "parliamentary compromise" incorporating amendments from diverse political groups. He praised the consolidation of a functional budget as a relief after prolonged negotiations and signaled plans to submit the budget to the Constitutional Council to ensure its compliance with constitutional requirements. Meanwhile, LFI announced it would challenge the budget’s legality in the Constitutional Council.

The 2026 budget marks a shift in fiscal strategy, with approximately 75% of the fiscal improvement expected from tax increases rather than spending cuts. Public spending is set to increase by €38 billion, pushing the budget deficit target to 5% of GDP and public debt to an estimated 118.3% of GDP. Despite the increased spending, Lecornu emphasized that taxpayers and households would not face new tax burdens under this budget.

This financial plan reflects the government's aim to control public expenditure while accommodating economic realities. Critics from both left and right have labeled the budget as punitive and insufficiently effective, and certain business sectors have voiced concerns over its possible impact on economic confidence. Nonetheless, the final adoption represents a crucial step in stabilizing France’s fiscal outlook for 2026 amid a fractious political climate.