Paris (AFP) – France's government has halted budget discussions in parliament and is expected to announce Friday a way forward after failing to gain backing from lawmakers for this year's spending bill.
The eurozone's second-largest economy has been bogged down in political crisis since President Emmanuel Macron called snap polls in 2024, in which he lost his majority.
In a bid to survive being toppled by parliament like his two predecessors, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu last year pledged to seek parliament approval for a 2026 austerity budget – and not ram it through without a vote.
He managed to get a bill on social security spending approved by year end, but lawmakers have failed to reach a compromise on state expenses.
Lecornu's office said late Thursday that it would be "impossible to adopt a budget by a vote" and that it would be looking at two alternative options.
One is to use a constitutional power under "Article 49.3" to push the legislation through parliament without a vote, as for previous budgets.
France's article 49.3 a handy constitutional tool to bypass parliament
That can trigger a no-confidence vote, which could topple the government and its spending bill with it.
Lecornu would have to reach a deal with the Socialists – a key swing group – to avoid this scenario.
The other option is for the first time issuing a decree that forces the budget directly into law.
That too could trigger a no-confidence vote, but the budget would survive even if the cabinet was ousted.
The government has suspended further budget debates until Tuesday.
Deficit to deadlock: why France is borrowing €310bn without a budget
Lawmakers from across the political spectrum have emerged exasperated after months of back and forth, and are looking for to a swift resolution.
"I'm tired of having the same debate over and over again," said right-wing Republicans lawmaker Marie-Christine Dalloz.
"I'm really looking forward to the end of this episode."
Greens member of parliament Steevy Gustave said he felt like a "robot" repeating the same thing every day.
"If only there had been results, some compromises – but no," he said.
