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French Government Scrambles for Votes on Social Security Budget Before Decisive Assembly Ballot

Government survival may hinge on Socialist backing, with a higher healthcare spending target pitched to Greens.

Overview

  • The revenue chapter passed narrowly on December 5 after compromises that scaled back the CSG increase on capital income and dropped a plan to raise medical co-payments, with absences aiding the tally.
  • Socialist leader Olivier Faure urged his deputies to support the spending chapter, which includes the negotiated suspension of the pension reform.
  • Les Républicains and Horizons now oppose the text, with Bruno Retailleau branding it a fiscal and social hold-up and figures close to Édouard Philippe calling it not votable.
  • The Rassemblement national will vote against the bill and has warned that Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu should resign if it is rejected.
  • Ministers plan a late amendment to lift the ONDAM health-spending target to win Ecologist support or abstention, while Renaissance and MoDem back the bill and LIOT and the PCF remain uncertain.