French Political Crisis Deepens as Budget Impasse Continues into 2026
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France is facing a deepening political crisis nearly three weeks into 2026, with the national budget still unapproved and a former Prime Minister sharply criticizing the current state of affairs. The situation stems from the dissolution of the National Assembly in June 2024, a move initiated by President Emmanuel Macron, and has led to what some observers describe as a dysfunctional legislative body.
Budgetary Stalemate and Calls for Resolution
As of January 17,2026,France has yet to finalize its 2026 budget. gabriel Attal, president of the Ensemble pour la République (EPR) group in the National Assembly, recently stated in an interview with Le Parisian that “itS time to put an end to this budget.” This urgency follows a speech by Sébastien Lecornu outlining measures within the proposed budget aimed at bolstering the purchasing power of French citizens. Attal, however, offered a pragmatic assessment, noting that “the main quality of this budget is to have a budget.”
The potential for utilizing Article 49.3 of the French constitution – a mechanism allowing for budget passage without a vote – or resorting to ordinances has emerged as a likely path forward.However, a senior official dismissed these options as “a secondary debate,” arguing that more pressing global issues demand attention.
A Nation at Risk of “Downgrade”
The official warned that the world is undergoing “major upheavals,” and inaction could have severe consequences for France’s standing on the world stage. “If we do not move forward, the balance of power will be upset, and France will change category: from a great power, it will become a downgraded country,” the official cautioned. This stark assessment underscores the gravity of the current political and economic situation.
The current state of the National Assembly was described as “a theater without an audience,” with recent weeks characterized by “a form of lamentable spectacle and a complete lack of direction.” This assessment highlights the perceived ineffectiveness of the legislature following the dissolution.
Dissolution Debate and Potential 2027 Candidacy
Attal firmly believes that another dissolution of the National Assembly is “neither necessary nor desirable.” He emphasized that “it is up to the National Assembly to resolve the problems of the French, not for the French to resolve the problems of the National Assembly.” this statement reflects a desire for the current legislative body to fulfill its intended function.
speculation is also mounting regarding Attal’s potential candidacy in the 2027 presidential election. When asked about his ambitions, Attal stated, “I think a lot about what the way of exercising the function of President of the Republic should be… I reflect on all this with a lot of humility, but also with a lot of determination.” this carefully worded response leaves the door open to a future presidential bid, signaling a thoughtful consideration of his political future.
Here’s a substantive news report answering the “Why, Who, What, and How” questions:
Why: France is experiencing a political crisis due to a prolonged stalemate over the 2026 budget. The crisis stems from a perceived dysfunction within the National Assembly following its dissolution in June 2024. A senior official warns that failure to resolve the budget could lead to a downgrade in France’s international standing.
Who: Key figures include President Emmanuel macron, who initiated the dissolution of the National Assembly; Gabriel Attal, president of the EPR
