In a high-stakes political move, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu invoked Article 49.3 of the Constitution on Friday to bypass a parliamentary vote and adopt the 2026 state budget. Facing a deadlocked National Assembly, Lecornu argued that the budget is essential for France’s economic stability, despite the risk of triggering no-confidence motions.
The decision marks a significant turn for Lecornu, who had earlier pledged to seek a compromise without using this “constitutional guillotine.” Opposition parties, including the far-left and far-right, have already vowed to file no-confidence motions, which could potentially topple the government if they gain majority support. The budget aims to reduce the public deficit to 5% of GDP by 2026 through significant spending cuts.