French National Assembly Secures Narrow Victory on 2026 Social Security Budget Amid Political Struggles
The French National Assembly narrowly approved the revenue section of the 2026 Social Security budget, with the left pivotal in securing the government’s first legislative victory amid ongoing political challenges and planned opposition motions.
- • Revenue section of the 2026 Social Security budget adopted with a narrow vote of 176 to 161.
- • Left-wing Socialists pivotal in securing government victory; National Rally opposed, Les Républicains abstained.
- • France Insoumise plans a new motion of censure in early December against the government.
- • Debates highlight suspension of 2023 pension reform and rejection of expanded medical fees and mandatory vaccination measures.
- • Budget discussions are lengthy, reflecting Assembly fatigue and unprecedented challenges operating without a parliamentary majority.
Key details
The French National Assembly has secured a crucial but tightly contested victory in adopting the revenue section of the 2026 Social Security financing law, marking a key step forward in a lengthy and challenging legislative process. The vote concluded with 176 deputies in favor and 161 against, with 58 abstentions, underscoring the fragile majority backing the government.
The left-wing deputies, particularly the Socialists, played a decisive role in tipping the balance in favor of the government, while the Rassemblement National voted against the measure, and Les Républicains abstained. Notably, certain ecologists and communists abstained, reflecting the complex political dynamics at play. Public Accounts Minister Amélie de Montchalin hailed the vote as a "first victory" for the government despite the arduous road ahead to fully pass the budget (source 136513).
Parliament has now turned its focus to the expenditure section of the Social Security budget. Key debates have included rejection of proposals to expand medical franchise fees and the removal of a legal basis for mandatory flu vaccinations for residents in nursing homes, moves opposed by both the National Rally and most of France Insoumise (source 136654).
Amid this, France Insoumise announced plans to file a new motion of censure against the government, anticipated in early December, following a previous narrowly failed attempt. The government is also proposing to suspend the 2023 pension reform within the budget, aiming to avoid censure from the Socialist Party (source 136654, 136540).
The budget discussions have been intense and exhaustive. Members like deputy Tristan Lahais have described a feeling of fatigue as debates have stretched into long nightly sessions over a three-week period, including weekends. The government has refrained from invoking article 49.3, forcing extensive parliamentary engagement despite operating without a clear majority. Socialist leader Boris Vallaud remarked on the unprecedented conditions facing the Assembly while National Rally's Jean-Philippe Tanguy expressed doubts about the Assembly's capacity to draft a budget effectively (source 136585).
As the Assembly prepares for the next stages of debate and eventual referral of the budget to the Senate if discussions are not completed promptly, the government's narrow parliamentary support highlights ongoing political contention over France's social security financing in 2026.