The French National Assembly suspended debates on the first part of the 2026 finance bill on November 3, with over 2,300 amendments still to examine. Discussions will resume on November 12, after the social security budget review, in a race against time to meet the November 23 deadline. This delay fuels fears of the government resorting to ordinances.
Budget debates at the French National Assembly halted at midnight on November 3, 2025, as deputies failed to complete the review of the revenues section of the 2026 finance bill (PLF), originally set to end that evening ahead of a solemn vote the next day. Over 2,300 amendments remained, a backlog worsened by a two-week delay in starting discussions due to October's government formation twists under Sébastien Lecornu.
To speed up proceedings, Éric Coquerel (La France insoumise), head of the finance committee, limited speaking times to one minute, but it proved insufficient. “At this rate, we won't even finish the first part,” he had warned at the day's start. Debates now give way to the social security financing bill (PLFSS) examination from November 4, with PLF resuming on November 12.
Under constitutional timelines, the Assembly must wrap up the full PLF—revenues and expenditures—by November 23 for Senate transmission. This initial setback jeopardizes the parliamentary process, despite behind-the-scenes talks. Meanwhile, from October 24 to November 3, deputies passed symbolic fiscal measures, including a tax surplus estimated at about 35 billion euros, such as a multinational tax projected to yield 26 billion but deemed ineffective by experts due to bilateral tax treaties. The overseas budget draws criticism too, with unprecedented cuts of 628 million euros in commitments (-18%) and 153 million in payments (-5%) compared to 2025.
The Rassemblement national (RN)'s proposals are labeled demagogic, refusing to tax the wealthiest while promising tax cuts and state spending reductions, as economist Philippe Aghion critiqued: “grands amateurs (…) pas capables de gérer la France”.
