France's 2026 social security budget faces strong opposition in the National Assembly. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu opposes raising the CSG on patrimony to protect small savers, as Édouard Philippe and other parties reject the bill. The debates could lead to a political deadlock.
In the National Assembly, the 2026 social security financing bill (PLFSS) is at an impasse. Scorned by the National Rally (RN) and a large left-wing majority, rejected by The Republicans (LR) and Horizons, the text has sparked intense tensions since Tuesday. Édouard Philippe, Horizons leader and former prime minister, announced his deputies would abstain or vote against, stating it is « impossible to vote for » the PLFSS as it stands.
A minister warns: « Ça sent très mauvais, c’est mission impossible ». A depressed socialist deputy adds: « C’est chaud… Si même Horizons n’est pas foutu de voter pour, alors qu’ils sont au gouvernement, je ne vois pas comment nous allons, nous, pouvoir soutenir ce texte ». The Senate removed the suspension of the retirement reform and all previously voted taxes.
On Wednesday, December 3, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated in session: « the government does not wish small savers to be affected [by a rise in] the CSG [general social contribution] on patrimony ». Socialists had adopted this measure in first reading, raising 2.8 billion euros to fund expenses, including potentially the suspension of the retirement reform, but the Senate rejected it. Laurent Wauquiez, LR group leader, refuses any budget with tax increases: « A budget with tax increases (…) I will not vote for it ».
Boris Vallaud, PS group president, defends the hike: « Raising the CSG on capital income means contributing patrimony rather than labor to spare retirees, the sick, and people with disabilities ». Jérôme Guedj adds: « Bringing the deficit to 20 billion euros [the government's target], without revenue measures like the CSG, I don't see how they do it ». Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon mentions an alternative: freezing pension revaluation above 1,400 euros, as voted in the Senate.
Lecornu reiterates his renunciation of Article 49.3, calling for a « compromise and transition PLFSS ». Deputies must vote on the « revenues » part potentially as early as Thursday, before December 9.