France Invokes Article 49.3 to Push Through 2026 Budget
The constitutional provision allows the government to enact legislation without a parliamentary vote unless the National Assembly approves a motion of censure.
Two such motions—one filed by the far-right National Rally and another jointly submitted by France Unbowed, the Greens, and the Communist Party—are expected to be debated on Friday, parliamentary sources said.
Addressing lawmakers from the assembly podium, Lecornu said the budget text had become “no longer passable” because of what he described as obstruction by multiple political factions, according to a French broadcaster. He added that those responsible “will have to answer for it before history.”
Despite the political backlash, the motions are widely seen as unlikely to pass. The Socialist Party has said it will not back attempts to topple the government. Party leader Olivier Faure said most of the Socialists’ conditions for allowing the budget to advance had been met.
Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon defended the draft, arguing it avoids raising taxes on households or increasing labor costs. “This is not a budget of fiscal harassment, neither for households nor for businesses,” she said, adding that the mandatory levy rate in 2026 would be lower than in 2019.
President Emmanuel Macron also endorsed the plan, saying it would help keep the public deficit near 5% of gross domestic product and “allow the country to move forward.”
Opposition leaders sharply condemned the decision. France Unbowed parliamentary leader Mathilde Panot accused the government of “lying” after earlier pledges not to resort to Article 49.3, while National Rally lawmakers said they believe the final text would increase taxes on middle-income households.
If either no-confidence motion is adopted, the government would be forced to resign and the budget bill would be rejected.
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