France’s 2026 budget adopted, ending months of parliamentary deadlock

France has approved its 2026 budget after two no-confidence motions failed, allowing the legislation to pass and offering short-term stability for the minority government led by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

The vote followed four months of political deadlock triggered by the 2024 snap election, which produced a hung parliament amid growing pressure to rein in public finances.

Motions brought by France Unbowed, the Greens, and other left-wing parties fell short of the 289 votes required to remove the government.

Key developments

• Deficit target set at 5% of GDP in 2026, down from 5.4% in 2025

• Additional €7.3bn in taxes on some businesses

• €6.5bn increase in military spending, described as the budget’s core priority

• Social measures include €1 student meals and higher support for low-income workers

The budget comes as France faces EU scrutiny over its high debt-to-GDP ratio.

ℹ️ Al Jazeera

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French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu delivers a speech to announce the use by the French government of article 49.3, a special clause in the French Constitution, to push the first part of the budget bill for 2026 (PLF 2026) through the National Assembly without a vote by lawmakers, during a new debate on the draft budget bill at the National Assembly in Paris, France, January 20, 2026. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
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France’s 2026 budget adopted, ending months of parliamentary deadlock
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