France's 2026 budget was promulgated on February 20 after an unprecedented process, featuring nearly 25,000 amendments and over 50 days of delay. Almost fully approved by the Constitutional Council on February 19, this text stands as the most debated in the Fifth Republic's history, with a result deemed disappointing by all observers.
The adoption process for France's 2026 budget lasted 220 days, a record for the Fifth Republic. It began on July 15, 2025, when François Bayrou, then Prime Minister, outlined key directions, including the elimination of two public holidays, to address issues following the 2025 budget that led to the fall of his predecessor Michel Barnier and a promulgation delayed by one and a half months.
Despite these efforts, the text gathered 24,675 amendments and hundreds of hours of debate, resulting in unanimous rejection in the National Assembly's commission, where even its supporters abstained.
Passed using Article 49.3 of the Constitution without a vote, the budget was described as a 'democratic shipwreck' by many elected officials. The Constitutional Council approved it almost entirely on February 19, prior to its promulgation on February 20. This journey highlights ongoing tensions in France's public finance examinations.
