Senate President Gérard Larcher has called on Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to consider Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass France's 2026 budget. In an interview with Le Figaro published on December 3, 2025, he defends it as a 'constitutional weapon' amid the budgetary deadlock. Républicains leader Bruno Retailleau also urged Lecornu to embrace this tool.
On December 3, 2025, Gérard Larcher, LR Senate President, gave an exclusive interview to Le Figaro urging Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to consider Article 49.3 to pass the 2026 state budget. «Pour donner un budget à la France, Sébastien Lecornu doit envisager le 49.3», he states, calling it a «constitutional weapon» rather than an assault on parliamentary democracy. He prefers 49.3 over ordinances or a special law, noting that «ce ne sont pas les socialistes qui font à eux seuls le budget de la France».
Larcher criticizes the Prime Minister's approach, who did not consult the Senate before dropping 49.3 in October to hand back control to Parliament, a nod to socialists. The right-dominated Senate will review the budget's «recettes» section on Thursday, opposing the Assembly's «fiscal hysteria». It aims to cut public spending, safeguarding economic activity by excluding corporate tax surcharges and indexing the first income tax bracket. France will borrow 390 billion euros next year to fund deficits.
Lecornu stands firm: «Il n’y aura pas d’utilisation du 49.3», he reiterates to deputies, honoring his promise. Républicains leader Bruno Retailleau, on Sud Radio, urges Lecornu to «assumer» this tool, believing socialists would not censure the government. Figures like Édouard Philippe, Marc Fesneau, and Hervé Marseille back 49.3 to break the deadlock. The government spokesperson emphasizes parliamentary debate, with a solemn vote on the Social Security budget set for December 9. Rejection could push the deficit to 30 billion euros.