The La France insoumise (LFI) group in the National Assembly presented its 2026 counter-budget on Wednesday, October 22, criticizing the government's plan as a 'Frankenstein budget' doomed to fail. The 'insoumis' propose 168 billion euros in investments for ecology and social needs, funded by 183 billion in additional revenues. Key measures include nationalizations and taxes inspired by economist Gabriel Zucman.
The LFI president of the finance committee, Eric Coquerel, described the government's 2026 budget as 'Frankenstein,' stating during a press point: 'It’s a Frankenstein budget, in the end no one will recognize themselves in it (…) I think the budget will be beaten' in the hemicycle. Facing this Macronist project, deemed doomed to failure in Parliament, LFI detailed a counter-budget focused on an 'ecological and social bifurcation'.
The proposed investments amount to 168 billion euros, aimed at the 'ecological bifurcation,' 'social needs and purchasing power,' and 'social protection.' They would be funded by around 183 billion in revenues, through a 'fiscal sharing (…) for individuals or for multinationals,' according to Clémence Guetté, LFI's program coordinator.
Key measures include 10.6 billion euros to strengthen French production of renewable energies, raising the SMIC to 1,600 euros net (1.6 billion), increasing civil servants' pay (22 billion), returning retirement to age 60 with 40 contribution years (7 billion), full free schooling (6.2 billion), and a housing plan involving requisition of vacant properties and strengthening emergency shelter (around 2.4 billion).
In the name of 'sovereignty' and 'industrial planning,' the 'insoumis' propose nationalizations of strategic companies such as Engie, Atos, Suez, Alstom, Total, and ArcelorMittal. The latter will be the subject of a bill on November 27, announced Aurélie Trouvé, emphasizing that 'the steel production of France, of Europe for that matter, is in immense danger' in the face of relocation risks.
For revenues, LFI relies on two Zucman-inspired taxes: a minimum 2% tax on assets over 100 million euros (20 billion expected) and a tax on multinationals (26 billion). Other measures include restoring the wealth tax with a climate component (15 billion), reforming inheritance tax with a maximum (10 billion), and reinstating the CVAE (11 billion).