French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Monday he would push his budget bill through parliament without a vote, acknowledging it was a “partial failure” after weeks of stalled negotiations
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Monday he would push his budget bill through parliament without a vote, acknowledging it was a “partial failure” after weeks of stalled negotiations.
According to AFP, the move exposes Lecornu to the risk of a no-confidence vote, though he is relying on the backing of a key swing group in the lower house to survive.
Speaking at a news conference, Lecornu said he had decided “with a certain degree of regret and a bit of bitterness” to invoke a constitutional provision that allows the government to force legislation through parliament.
The prime minister had pledged last year to seek parliamentary approval for a 2026 austerity budget and avoid bypassing lawmakers, after two of his predecessors were toppled over budget disputes.
However, announcing the decision on Monday, Lecornu said: “We have to be humble. It’s a partial success, partial failure.”
He had managed to get a bill on social security spending approved by year’s end, but lawmakers have thus far failed to reach a compromise on state expenses.
“Everyone is also coming to the conclusion that we’re heading into a dead end,” he said.
No-confidence vote threat
Lecornu’s centre-right government said last week it would be “impossible” to pass a 2026 austerity budget by vote.
The use of Article 49.3, which allows legislation to be adopted without parliamentary approval, can trigger a no-confidence motion and potentially topple the government.
President Emmanuel Macron backed the budget, with a government spokesperson saying it “guarantees stability” and “allows the country to move forward.” Macron added that the plan “required compromises and concessions from everyone.”
Lecornu said the budget would keep the public deficit at five per cent.
Far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen condemned Lecornu’s “irresponsible announcement,” calling for “harsh punishment for politicians who choose to ruin our country to save their seats,” and said she would file a no-confidence motion in a post on X.
The hard-left France Unbowed party has also said it will table a motion.
Lecornu has made concessions in the spending bill to win support from the Socialists, a key swing group in the hung parliament, as France’s political crisis drags on following President Macron’s loss of a parliamentary majority in the 2024 snap election.
Seeking to end the deadlock, Lecornu said on Monday: “We’re going to stop putting on a show for the whole world.”
With inputs from agencies
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