Meetings with MPs for critical talks will be made today (3.10.2025) by the French Prime Minister Sebastian Lecornas he struggles to pass the budget and remain in power.
The fifth prime minister of France in two years is seeking the implicit support of some opposition groups in order to avoid his overthrow from A divided National Assembly during the debate on the 2026 finances, which is expected to begin in the coming weeks. Today’s negotiations are the last chance to find a compromise before Sebastian Lekorny appoints a government to present a budget plan by October 13, so that parliament can adopt the legislation by the end of the year.
Political opponents have warned that if there are no significant concessions, they will vote for the removal of the prime minister.
Shortly before the start of the discussions, Lekorny said his government would exclude the use of a constitutional measure that allows it to promote laws, such as budget, without vote in parliament, a long -term demand of the Socialist Party, among other things.
“In a functional parliament, which was renewed a year ago and reflects the divisions of the French people, we cannot impose our will and we cannot force the opposition,” Lekorny said in a brief television statement. He added that France must vote on the budget by the end of the year.
Lecorn’s announcement does not seem to have immediately convinced the leaders of the Socialist Party.
Failure to calm the opposition groups will increase the dangers of a third government collapse in less than a year, re -dipping France in a deadlock in terms of Addressing the largest budget deficit in the eurozone.
The successive prime ministers have struggled to maintain power since President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to proclaim early elections last year led to a national assembly divided between multiple, competitive blocs. The resulting political and fiscal instability has caused mass sales of French assets, increasing the country’s borrowing costs compared to other European countries and burdening household and business investment and costs.
Even if Lecoros’ offer does not use Article 49.3 of his Constitution, secures more time in the office, he raises uncertainty about what measures will eventually agree with a divided parliament in the next year’s budget.
Socialist legislators are the key to the chances of Lekornos to find a solution, as their abstentions in previous votes have allowed the previous Prime Minister, François Bairou, remaining in office.
However, the center -left MPs voted last month in favor of Bairo’s overthrow due to his fiscal strategy and have stated that they will do the same in Lecoros if he did not accept proposals he has rejected so far. Their demands include the cancellation of the 2023 reform to increase the retirement age and the implementation of a property tax, known by the name of its architect, Gabriel Zukman.
Speaking before the meeting with Lecornou on Friday, Socialist Party leader Olivier Fort said that the prime minister’s proposal not to use the constitutional tool to approve a budget is a “real change” in institutional practice. However, he said that the government could still “guide” the debate and called on the prime minister to commit to allowing legislators to have a say, in particular with regard to the revision of the reform of the pension system.
“The resignation from Article 49.3 means that parliament alone will have the last word,” For said. “We will verify that this intention is not just a trick or a trick.”
Fort’s party is also pressing for a significantly less effort to reduce the deficit, as Bairou proposed a sharp decline to 4.6% of GDP in 2026 from 5.4% expected this year. But Lekornou has stated that he is planning only a slight modification with a target of 4.7% for the following year.
The French prime minister must also take into account the center -right Republicans who are currently supporting him, but have pointed out their opposition to the proposals of the Socialists.
The new government is also limited by the deterioration of growth prospects. According to Les Echos, the draft budget is based on GDP increase by 1% next year instead of the 1.2% previously foreseen.
Prior to his meeting with the Socialists, Lekornou met with Marin Le Pen, whose MPs could also keep him in office if they choose to abstain from the votes of censure. He said the decision not to use Article 49.3 of the Constitution is “respectful” for democracy, but her party will wait until the prime minister appeals to Parliament on Monday to decide whether to accuse his government in a censure vote.
“I don’t have a clear vision of what Lekornou wants to do,” he said after Friday’s meeting. “His general political speech must be much clearer than I heard this morning to persuade the national alarm to participate in budget work.”
The far -right group recently called for new legislative elections, indicating a limited willingness of cooperation. It also opposes the freezing of spending and has stated that if there is no clear rupture with Bairo’s proposals, its legislators will vote to impose the resignation of Lecoros.
In his efforts to persuade opposition parties, the French prime minister is considering supporting low -income families, which could include tax cuts in overtime and for those receiving the minimum wage, according to an office official.
Fort said on Thursday that these ideas are very “outdated” and they are far from what the Socialists want.
On Friday, Lekornou also proposed an alternative to Zukman tax, which would be imposed on “economic wealth” but would not affect business assets, according to BFMTV. The prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a request for commentary.