The National Assembly resumes examination in commission on Thursday of the state budget for 2026, after a failed first reading. Public accounts minister Amélie de Montchalin rules out no method to pass the bill, including Article 49.3. The government aims for a deficit below 5% in 2026.
The National Assembly resumed on Thursday, January 8, the examination in commission of the 2026 finance bill, in the shared hope of a quick resolution between the government and parliamentarians. This return to a new reading follows the failure of the first reading and the impossibility of agreement in the joint committee on December 19, which brings together seven deputies and seven senators.
At year's end, the government had to pass a special law to ensure the continuity of public services, extending 2025 taxes into the following year. This suspends, among other things, the increase in defense credits and certain agricultural measures, at a time when the sector is expressing its anger through protests.
On RTL, Public Accounts Minister Amélie de Montchalin stated: "I rule out nothing that could ultimately give the French a budget," in response to a question about the possible use of Article 49.3, which allows a bill to pass without a vote by staking the government's responsibility. She added that "the method of adopting the budget depends on the government" and that a "prior political agreement" is essential.
The PS group leader, Boris Vallaud, said in Libération that "it is time (…) to get out of this budgetary sequence." He leaves the decision to the government, which "will have to provide reasons not to be censured."
The work will continue in commission until Saturday, then in the hemicycle from Tuesday, theoretically until January 23. Deputies will start from the Senate's version, and over 2,000 amendments have been tabled, promising heated debates. For definitive adoption, the Senate must approve the text in the same terms, or the Assembly will rule a third time.
While PCF, Ecologists, LFI, and RN oppose the bill, a majority would require the votes of socialists and LIOT independents, which the PS refuses. A meeting at Bercy on Tuesday brought together the government coalition, LIOT, and PS with Ministers Montchalin and Roland Lescure, without a clear agreement on a no-censure pact.
General rapporteur Philippe Juvin (LR) proposes an increase in revenues of 2.93 billion euros and a cut in spending of 6.2 billion compared to the Senate version. The PS, however, wants to increase spending by 9 billion compared to the government's initial project. The government seeks to bring the deficit below 5%, against 5.4% in 2025.
