Following the National Assembly's narrow approval of the 2026 social security funding bill on December 9, the government faces mounting challenges to pass the state budget before year-end amid left-right divisions and parliamentary skepticism.
Building on the unprecedented compromise that saw the 2026 social security funding bill (PLFSS) pass its second reading on December 9 by a slim 13-vote margin—without invoking Article 49.3—the French government now turns to the more contentious state finance bill (PLF).
Renaissance deputy spokesperson Prisca Thévenot quipped about the coalition dynamics: “We’re acting as a power strip: the left doesn’t want to plug into the right, the right doesn’t want to plug into the left, but everyone agrees to plug into us.” This fragile accord among The Republicans (LR), the Socialist Party (PS), and the presidential coalition (Renaissance, MoDem, Horizons) averted an immediate crisis.
Final PLFSS adoption is slated for December 16 in the Assembly. The PLF faces a Senate vote on Monday, a joint committee (CMP) on Friday, and potentially returns to the Assembly by December 23. Economy Minister Roland Lescure expressed optimism: “On the social security budget, what was improbable has become possible. I’m convinced it’s still feasible to adopt the state budget before year-end,” citing an emerging “culture of compromise.”
Skepticism prevails among deputies. The PLF was previously rejected 404-1. The government's goal is to cap the public deficit at 5% of GDP, but the left, led by Boris Vallaud (PS), pushes for fiscal equity, while the right resists tax hikes in favor of cuts. Vallaud doubts progress: “I don’t see the path.” Tough talks loom to avoid a provisional 2026 budget.
