Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Monday, January 19, 2026, after a Council of Ministers, that he would engage the government's responsibility on Tuesday via Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass the revenues part of the 2026 budget, despite his initial promise not to use it. This decision, driven by parliamentary deadlock, aims to reduce the public deficit to 5% of GDP and includes concessions to the Socialist Party, such as maintaining a corporate surtax at 8 billion euros. La France Insoumise and the National Rally plan to file no-confidence motions.
Sébastien Lecornu, Prime Minister since September 2025, had promised in the autumn to govern without resorting to Article 49.3, a constitutional tool allowing a text to be adopted without a parliamentary vote by engaging the government's responsibility. This approach succeeded for the social security budget but failed on the 2026 finance law after three months of stalled debates, particularly by La France Insoumise (LFI) and the National Rally (RN), accused of 'sabotage' by Lecornu.
On Monday, January 19, after the Council of Ministers, Lecornu expressed 'regret' and 'bitterness' in announcing the engagement of responsibility on Tuesday for budget revenues, followed by spending and overall sections. 'It's a semi-failure,' he admitted, highlighting the post-Christmas impasse. The deficit will be 'sincerely' at 5% of GDP, he assured, thanks to 2 billion euros in savings on state operators, announced by Minister Amélie de Montchalin, targeting excess treasuries.
To secure Socialist Party (PS) support and avoid censure, the government conceded measures: a 50-euro monthly increase in the activity bonus for 3 million low-income households (cost: 2 billion), student meals at 1 euro, and end of the tax exemption for personal assets in family business transmissions via the Dutreil pact. The corporate income tax surtax for large firms is maintained at 8 billion euros instead of being reduced, and the CVAE cut abandoned, angering the Medef. Its president Patrick Martin lamented: 'Once again, the state reneges,' fearing economic trust loss.
Emmanuel Macron hailed a budget ensuring 'stability' and 'progress.' Socialists, via Jérôme Guedj and Boris Vallaud, expressed satisfaction and consider non-censure. LFI, through Mathilde Panot, denounces a 'disastrous budget' and will file a motion on Thursday. Marine Le Pen (RN) calls the announcements 'irresponsible' to 'buy' the PS, promising censure. Motions could be examined Thursday in the Assembly, exposing Lecornu to downfall risk, though the PS seems key to his survival.
