French Government Weighs Use of Article 49.3 to Pass Contested 2026 Budget

The French government is currently grappling with legislative challenges in passing the 2026 budget amid parliamentary opposition, with the use of Article 49.3 of the Constitution looming as a possible solution. The failure of the joint parliamentary commission to reach a consensus has made passing the finance bill through a standard vote difficult, prompting intense consultations by the Prime Minister with political leaders from both the right and left.

Sébastien Lecornu, Minister for the Ecological Transition and Coordination of Ministerial Action, has so far refrained from invoking Article 49.3 or ordinances to push the budget through, despite growing pressure. Philippe Juvin, the general rapporteur of the budget from the Republicans (LR), called on Lecornu to reconsider and use Article 49.3 in January based on the Senate's amended version of the budget text. Juvin anticipates extended debates unless the government takes decisive action, emphasizing the need to rely on the Senate’s revised budget as a basis.

Another prominent LR figure, Bruno Retailleau, President of the Republicans, echoed these calls, urging Lecornu to employ Article 49.3 to ensure a responsible budget passage. Notably, there is an emerging consensus among some members of the Socialist Party, who no longer view Article 49.3 as a strict red line, potentially opening the door for its use.

In parallel, President Emmanuel Macron is expected to convene a Council of Ministers on the evening of December 22 after returning from the United Arab Emirates. This meeting will discuss an urgent special law aimed at raising taxes and renewing expenditures to compensate for the absence of an approved budget. This special law is anticipated to be presented to the National Assembly deputies on Tuesday, possibly before the resumption of full budget discussions in January.

The situation underlines the government’s difficult balancing act between parliamentary opposition and the urgency of securing financial governance for 2026. The use of the special law and Article 49.3 represent critical tools to navigate this political impasse, with the final choice still pending amid ongoing consultations.