French PM Lecornu Faces Constitutional Deadline to Present Budget Amid Government Formation Challenges

France is confronting a critical political and financial challenge as newly appointed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu races against a constitutional deadline to submit the 2026 budget. If not approved on time, the state will be unable to legally collect taxes or make any payments, jeopardizing public services and salaries starting January 1, 2026. To meet Article 47 of the French Constitution, which requires Parliament 70 days to review the budget and an additional eight days for the Constitutional Council, the draft budget law must be registered by October 13 at the latest.

Lecornu’s task is complicated by his ongoing efforts to form a fully functional government. As detailed by constitutional expert Jean-Philippe Derosier, Lecornu cannot register the finance bill or the social security financing law without first appointing at least a finance minister and convening a Council of Ministers. This Council is essential to legally submit these legislative proposals. Additionally, Lecornu must form his government before presenting his political declaration to Parliament, underscoring the intertwined political and procedural obstacles he faces.

President Emmanuel Macron’s departure for Egypt on October 12 to support a Gaza peace initiative further constrains the timeline for Lecornu to meet these requirements. Lecornu is expected to name his ministers either before Macron’s late evening departure or the following Tuesday, enabling a Council of Ministers meeting to validate the budget submission.

Meanwhile, political voices such as Philippe Juvin, the general budget rapporteur, emphasize the importance of increasing net salaries while controlling state spending. Juvin supports potential reductions in the social contributions (CSG) but insists on identifiable compensations for lost revenues. He also advocates for deeper spending cuts, including possible reductions in public sector employment, to achieve the goal of deficit reduction below 3% of GDP by 2029. Juvin warns against abandoning pension reforms and leaves open the use of constitutional tools like article 49.3 to ensure budget approval.

France now stands at a crossroads where constitutional deadlines, political negotiations, and financial imperatives converge. Prime Minister Lecornu’s ability to form a government swiftly and meet the budget submission deadline is crucial to avoid a governmental and fiscal impasse heading into 2026.