France’s government is moving to pass emergency legislation to keep the state operating into January after lawmakers failed to agree on a 2026 budget, as pressure grows from investors and credit ratings agencies.
The stopgap bill would allow public spending, tax collection and borrowing to continue beyond the end of the year. Parliament is expected to vote on the measure on Tuesday.
Government spokeswoman Maud Brégeon said on Monday the emergency law was intended to give politicians time to complete budget negotiations in the new year.
“This special law is not a budget,” she said, quoting President Emmanuel Macron. “We must, as quickly as possible in January, deliver a budget for the country.”
The move follows the failure on Friday of a joint committee of lawmakers from both chambers to reach agreement on the full 2026 budget, prompting Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to seek temporary legislation to avoid a shutdown.
France’s public finances are under close scrutiny, with the country running the largest budget deficit in the euro zone, raising concerns among investors and ratings agencies.
Conservative lawmaker Philippe Juvin, who has been steering the budget through the lower house, said he expected a final budget text to be adopted in early January.
Speaking to broadcaster BFM TV, he said he hoped the prime minister would consider using special constitutional powers to force through a compromise acceptable to Socialist lawmakers.
Lecornu has previously said he would not use those powers, which allow legislation to be adopted without a parliamentary vote.
Doing so would likely trigger a motion of no confidence from either the far right or the hard left, although such a move would be unlikely to succeed without Socialist support.
The prime minister’s minority government faces a fragmented parliament, where budget disputes have already brought down three governments since Macron lost his parliamentary majority in a snap election in 2024.
France relied on similar emergency rollover legislation last year until a full 2025 budget was approved in February, a delay the government said cost the state about €12bn.
Uzbekistan is exploring potential cooperation with The Walt Disney Company on creative and tourism projects, including a long-term proposal to build a...
France’s government is moving to pass emergency legislation to keep the state operating into January after lawmakers failed to agree on a 2026 budge...
Australia’s most populous state has passed sweeping new gun control and anti-terror laws following a mass shooting at Bondi Beach, tightening firear...
Thailand and Cambodia both reported fresh clashes on Wednesday, as the two sides prepared to hold military talks aimed at easing tensions along their ...
The United States will impose and enforce sanctions "to the maximum extent" to deprive Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of resources as Russia warn...
In the midst of political tensions and a looming budget crisis in France, the government is grappling with the intricacies of passing an emergency bill ahead of the Christmas period.
French senators have approved the 2026 budget bill, but with amendments that are expected to worsen the fiscal deficit more than initially planned.
French senators on Monday approved a revised 2026 budget bill that the government warned could worsen the country’s fiscal deficit, setting the stage for tense negotiations between parliament’s two chambers later this week.
France has called on the European Union to postpone a planned vote on the long-negotiated trade agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc, citing insufficient safeguards for European farmers.
Vince Zampella, co-creator of the Call of Duty gaming franchise, has died in a car crash involving a Ferrari crash on Monday in Los Angeles, United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is monitoring recent Iranian military exercises and will raise the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit to Washington next week.
Paramount has reaffirmed its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, offering $30 per share in cash and backing the proposal with a $40.4 billion personal equity guarantee from billionaire Larry Ellison, despite the target company’s board urging shareholders to reject the offer.
U.S. President Donald Trump has approved plans to construct a new class of battleships, which he described as larger, faster and significantly more powerful than any previous U.S. warship.
As the European Commission warns of possible visa suspension, Georgian authorities reject accusations of democratic backsliding. What is really at stake — and who could be affected most?
Australia’s most populous state has passed sweeping new gun control and anti-terror laws following a mass shooting at Bondi Beach, tightening firearm ownership rules, banning the public display of terrorist symbols and expanding police powers to restrict protests.
Thailand and Cambodia both reported fresh clashes on Wednesday, as the two sides prepared to hold military talks aimed at easing tensions along their shared border.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 24th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States will impose and enforce sanctions "to the maximum extent" to deprive Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of resources as Russia warned other Latin American countries could be next, the U.S. told the United Nations on Tuesday.
The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Donald Trump's attempt to send National Guard troops to the Chicago area, amid concerns that the Republican president is using the military in Democratic-led regions to punish opponents and suppress dissent on Tuesday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment