French Government Survives Twin No-Confidence Votes After Using Article 49.3 on 2026 Budget

Overview

• Lawmakers rejected a left-wing censure motion with 269 votes, short of the 288 needed, and a far-right motion drew even fewer votes.
• The government has invoked Article 49.3 on the spending chapter and may use it again for the final text as opposition parties prepare new censure attempts next week.
• Socialists declined to back the no-confidence bids after extracting concessions, a stance that proved decisive for the government's survival.
• Lecornu says the deficit target is about 5% of GDP in 2026, down from 5.4% in 2025 and still above the European Union’s 3% threshold.
• Officials expect definitive passage in the first half of February, with the bill advancing to the Senate and returning to the Assembly for final adoption if it withstands further challenges.