Lecornu to finalize first budget version on Thursday
Sébastien Lecornu, France's Economy Minister, announced that a first version of the 2026 budget will be finalized on Thursday, with potential modifications following negotiations with socialists. He also revealed to unions a measure supporting women's retirement. These announcements come amid ongoing budgetary tensions in France.
Sébastien Lecornu, Minister of Economy and Finance, stated that the government will finalize an initial draft of the 2026 finance bill on Thursday. This preliminary version, dubbed the 'Lecornu' budget after the minister, may still be revised based on talks with the socialists, potential coalition partners.
Sources close to the matter indicate that these negotiations aim to incorporate social measures to secure parliamentary support. Lecornu emphasized the need for flexibility: “A first version of the Lecornu budget will be finalized on Thursday, but can be modified depending on negotiations with the socialists.”
In parallel, during a meeting with unions, Lecornu unveiled a measure favoring women's retirement. This initiative, potentially involving adjustments to contributions or retirement ages, seeks to address gender inequalities in the pension system. Unions reacted cautiously, awaiting concrete details.
This dual approach highlights the French government's challenges in tackling a high public deficit and European pressures for fiscal consolidation. The socialists, meanwhile, demand assurances on social protections. No contradictions were noted between the two announcements, which appear complementary in shaping the budget.