France 2026 Budget: PM to Bypass Parliament Vote | Business News

French Prime minister Lecornu Invokes Constitutional Clause to Pass 2026 Budget

A controversial move to bypass parliamentary approval has been initiated by french Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to secure passage of the 2026 budget bill. The decision, announced on January 19, 2026, relies on Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, a mechanism allowing legislation to be adopted without a vote.

Lecornu acknowledged that utilizing this constitutional tool represented a “partial failure,” as he had previously pledged to avoid such a measure. This admission underscores the political challenges faced by the government in securing legislative support for its financial plans. However,the prime Minister expressed confidence that recent concessions made by the government have garnered sufficient political support,particularly from the Socialists,to withstand potential no-confidence motions.

Did you know? – Article 49.3 has been used more than 100 times as the Fifth Republic’s founding in 1958, frequently enough to push through unpopular reforms. Its use signals notable political strain between the executive and legislative branches.

The invocation of Article 49.3 is a high-stakes gamble. While it allows the government to avoid a potentially damaging defeat in parliament, it also risks further alienating opposition parties and fueling accusations of authoritarianism. The success of this strategy hinges on whether Lecornu’s assessment of the current political landscape is accurate.

According to sources, the government believes the concessions made were ample enough to sway key lawmakers. These concessions, while not fully detailed in available reports, are understood to address concerns raised by various factions within the parliament. The coming days will be critical as opposition groups weigh their options and decide whether to formally challenge the budget through a vote of no confidence.

Pro tip – A successful no-confidence vote would force the entire Lecornu government to resign, potentially leading to new elections or the appointment of a new prime minister.

The situation highlights the ongoing tensions within French politics and the difficulties faced by the government in navigating a complex legislative habitat. The outcome will likely have significant implications for the country’s economic policies and the stability of Lecornu’s governance.

As of January 22, 2026, opposition parties, including the National Rally and the Conservative Republicans, filed a motion of no confidence. The motion centered on accusations that Lecornu bypassed democratic processes and imposed a budget lacking broad support. After a tense debate, the motion failed to pass on January 24th by a vote of 286 to 233, securing the budget’s approval. The close vote, though, underscores the fragility of Lecornu’s governing coalition and the deep divisions within French politics. The 2026 budget focuses on deficit reduction through a combination of spending cuts in non-essential areas and targeted tax increases on high earners and corporations. The government projects a deficit of 4.1% of GDP by the end of 2026, down from 5.5% in 2025.