Intense Debates Loom Over France's 2026 Budget as Amendments Flood In and Social Measures Spark Criticism

On October 14, 2025, Economy Minister Roland Lescure and Public Accounts Minister Amélie de Montchalin presented the 2026 budget law to the National Assembly's finance committee, triggering a surge of 1,744 amendments on the revenue section—over 500 more than the committee's initial targets. Examination of these amendments starts October 20 under tight time constraints, promising intense legislative battles, according to Eric Coquerel, finance committee president, who noted this volume is slightly less than last year's 1,857 amendments and expects some to be deemed inadmissible.

Simultaneously, Philippe Juvin, Les Républicains' general budget rapporteur, vocally criticized the government's 14 billion euros in proposed tax hikes, advocating for prioritizing spending cuts instead. He opposed the new tax on holding companies, concerned about adverse impacts on up to 30,000 SMEs, and called to maintain the 10% tax abatement for retirees rather than switching to a fixed amount. Juvin also urged stronger measures against Chinese e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu, critiquing the proposed token tax on small parcels. On public sector staffing, he proposed freezing the addition of 8,459 jobs except in key sectors and introduced voluntary departure plans for civil servants.

Beyond fiscal debates, the government’s social spending policies face criticism for their harsh impact on vulnerable populations. A freeze on nearly all social benefits combined with a doubling of medical deductibles threatens to exacerbate conditions amid France’s record poverty rates.

These developments underscore the contentious atmosphere surrounding the budget's preparation, foreshadowing difficult negotiations ahead as lawmakers weigh tax increases, spending priorities, and social protections.