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French Assembly Approves 2026 Social Security Budget, Saving Lecornu's Government

Costly concessions to left‑wing parties secured a short reprieve for the minority government.

Overview

  • The budget passed 247–234 with 93 abstentions after Socialist backing and an ecologist abstention proved decisive.
  • The text suspends the 2023 pension reform, freezing the legal retirement age at 62 years and 9 months instead of a gradual rise toward 64.
  • The government granted a 3% increase in overall public health spending and agreed to changes on medicine copayments, parental leave, and meal‑voucher contributions, alongside a higher CSG for top incomes.
  • Economists and employers warn the concessions will deepen deficits, undercutting EU calls for tighter fiscal discipline.
  • Ecologist leader Cyrielle Chatelain accused a prime ministerial adviser of pressure tactics; Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu denied wrongdoing and ordered an internal probe with legal action, as broader state budgets still face uncertain votes ahead of the March 2026 municipal campaign.