French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is under mounting pressure as his government struggles to pass the national budget through a deeply divided parliament, raising the risk of a no-confidence vote that could bring down his cabinet.
France’s political deadlock has persisted since President Emmanuel Macron lost his parliamentary majority in the 2024 snap election. Lawmakers have repeatedly failed to agree on a full budget, toppling Lecornu’s two predecessors and leaving the eurozone’s second-largest economy without long-term fiscal clarity.
After securing approval for a social security spending bill late last year, Lecornu has been unable to broker a compromise on broader state expenditure. The government has now acknowledged that adopting the budget through a parliamentary vote may be impossible.
Two options are under consideration. One is invoking Article 49.3 of the constitution to force the budget through without a vote, a move that would almost certainly trigger a no-confidence motion. The second is issuing a decree to enact the budget directly into law — a step that could still provoke a no-confidence vote but would leave the budget in place even if the government falls.
In an effort to survive politically, Lecornu is courting support from the Socialist party, a key swing bloc. Proposed concessions include extending one-euro university meals to all students, increased funding for social housing, and higher monthly benefits for low-income households. He has also pledged not to raise household taxes and to preserve existing tax breaks for pensioners and student grants.
Warning that his removal could lead to fresh elections, Lecornu defended the budget as fiscally responsible while offering targeted social measures. Across parliament, frustration is growing after months of stalemate, with lawmakers from multiple parties calling for a swift resolution to the crisis.