Deputies in the Finance Commission overwhelmingly rejected Wednesday the state budget expenses for 2026, heavily rewritten with 27 billion euros in additional spending. This indicative vote highlights the lack of majority for the government text. Meanwhile, the Assembly approved a 2-euro tax on small extra-European parcels.
On November 19, 2025, debates on the 2026 finance bill at the French National Assembly saw significant developments. Deputies approved by 208 votes to 87 a 2-euro tax on small parcels valued under 150 euros from extra-European origins, aimed at funding controls on these often dangerous products. The Rassemblement National denounced it as a 'tax on popular consumption and middle classes,' while Minister Amélie de Montchalin defended it as a necessary 'fee.'
In the Finance Commission, deputies overwhelmingly rejected the budget's expenses section, which incorporated nearly 29 billion euros in new spending and refused 2 billion in government-proposed savings, netting 27 billion in extras. Only the socialists abstained, with all other groups opposing the text. Philippe Juvin (LR) lamented that 'the final copy makes no sense,' citing rejections of major credits for agriculture, culture, ecology, justice, and health. Éric Coquerel (LFI) noted additions like increased consular posts, support for the social economy, and teacher salary boosts.
Other votes included raising the tax on long-distance transport infrastructure from 4.6% to 10% (74 to 59, expected yield of 500 million euros), exempting overseas residents from air passenger transport tax (83 to 62), and rejecting increases in waste and plastic packaging taxation. The government opposes several measures, citing impacts on vulnerable economic actors.
The examination risks ending in a unanimous rejection of the revenues section, sending the initial version to the Senate, which begins its marathon on the social security budget with 1770 amendments. Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou remains optimistic: 'We can make it.' CFDT's Marylise Léon insists: 'The budget problem is first and foremost one of revenues.'
