French National Assembly Faces Crucial Vote on 2026 Social Security Budget Amid Controversies
The French National Assembly’s vote on the 2026 Social Security budget’s revenue section could determine the future of pension reforms amid opposition changes and protests from medical professionals.
- • The vote on the Social Security budget's revenue section is critical to continue pension reform discussions.
- • Significant amendments removed controversial taxes but added a CSG increase on asset income generating €2.8 billion.
- • Liberal doctors protest proposed surcharges on excess fees included in the PLFSS.
- • An amendment threatens to reduce tax benefits of the retirement savings plan (PER).
Key details
On November 8, 2025, the French National Assembly confronted a pivotal vote on the 'receipts' section of the 2026 Social Security budget, an essential step for continuing legislative discussions on pensions and healthcare expenditures. This vote is critical as its rejection would prevent further debate on vital articles, including the suspension of pension reforms (source 135015, 134944).
The budget's revenue section saw significant modifications, with opposition lawmakers and some government members removing contentious taxes and contributions, particularly eliminating a tax on mutual insurance and employer contribution changes on meal vouchers. The left-wing factions have pushed for raising the CSG tax on asset incomes, expected to generate €2.8 billion by 2026 (source 135015, 134944). However, concerns linger over managing the anticipated €17.5 billion deficit, reduced from €23 billion in 2025, reflecting ongoing fiscal challenges.
Concurrently, medical professionals, especially surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other liberal doctors largely working in sector 2 with above-tariff fees, have expressed strong opposition to a proposed 'surcotisation' on their excess fees, included in Article 26 of the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS). This measure survived parliamentary committee review but remains contentious among the medical community, with protests reportedly taking place (source 134969).
Additionally, an amendment in the 2026 finance bill introduces major changes to the retirement savings plan (PER), potentially diminishing its tax benefits. Launched in 2019 and having attracted over 11 million contributors with more than €130 billion saved, the PER now faces reforms as the government seeks additional budgetary resources, risking adverse impacts on long-term retirement savings (source 135010).
President Emmanuel Macron, speaking from Mexico, emphasized stability and responsibility during this crucial budget phase, urging cooperation across party lines, especially seeking Socialist Party abstention to avoid outright rejection (source 135015). The Socialist Party, having secured a suspension of pension reform under their pressure, is reportedly inclined to abstain rather than vote against the budget to enable ongoing debates (source 134944).
In summary, France’s 2026 Social Security budget deliberations highlight deep fiscal balancing acts, political negotiations, and public sector pushback, especially from medical professionals and retirement savers. The vote outcome on the revenue section will significantly influence whether the Assembly can move forward to address expenditures and pension reforms under intense political scrutiny and societal pressure.