France has approved its 2026 budget after Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly on Monday, ending months of political tension that had unsettled investors.
A censure motion brought by far-left lawmakers received 260 votes, short of the 289 needed to bring down the minority government and block the budget. A separate motion filed by the far right also failed, securing only 135 votes.
The outcome allows Lecornu’s government to move ahead with its spending plans, though the narrow margins underline the ongoing fragility of his parliamentary support.
France has been caught in a long period of political tension that began after President Emmanuel Macron lost his absolute majority in the National Assembly in 2022. Since then, every major vote has required delicate negotiations, leaving the government vulnerable to censure attempts from both the far left and the far right.
Sebastien Lecornu, appointed prime minister in late 2025, inherited a parliament fractured along sharp ideological lines. His government has had to rely on shifting alliances to pass key legislation, deepening fears of legislative paralysis. Disputes over spending, tax reform and the country’s rising debt made the 2026 budget especially difficult to secure.
The pressure has been intensified by economic challenges. Inflation, wage demands and energy costs have fuelled public frustration, leading to regular protests across major cities. Unions have also warned of renewed strike action if living standards do not improve. Business leaders, meanwhile, have told the government that political instability risks undermining confidence in France’s economic outlook.
European partners have been watching closely. France’s approach to spending and debt plays a central role in wider EU fiscal discussions, and prolonged political deadlock in Paris raises concerns about the bloc’s ability to respond to economic pressures.
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