The French government survived two votes of no confidence, moving towards the adoption of the budget for 2026, despite financial pressures.

The French government successfully passed two votes of no confidence on Friday, related to fiscal plans, moving closer to the adoption of the budget for 2026. The no-confidence proposal from the left-wing party La France Insoumise received 269 votes, insufficient to pass, while the version from the right-wing party Rassemblement National garnered only 142 votes. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu invoked Article 49.3 of the constitution to pass the budget, allowing him to adopt the legislation without a vote, but exposing himself to motions of censure.

France is facing financial pressures to reduce the budget deficit of 5.4% of GDP and debt estimated at 118.2% of GDP in 2026. The Parliament, unable to draft a budget, was forced to extend the budget from 2025 until the completion of the fiscal plans. The government promises to reduce the deficit below 3% of GDP by 2029, according to EU rules.