French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu narrowly survived a crucial test on Tuesday as the country's divided parliament voted in favour of a 2026 budget bill.
If Lecornu had failed to win a majority in the National Assembly for his social security budget, it would have gravely weakened his hand ahead of the main budget vote, due by the end of the year.
But in the end, the bill passed by 247 votes to 234. It will now go back to the upper house or Senate before returning for a final reading in the Assembly.
It's a good sign that a majority has been found. The immense likelihood now is that the (social security budget) will be adopted definitively, said Assembly speaker Yael Braun-Pivet.
Since his appointment in September by President Emmanuel Macron, Lecornu has devoted himself to guiding 2026 budget legislation through a parliament split into three main factions without a clear majority.
His main challenge was to negotiate support from various political groups, including the Socialist Party, with concessions such as suspending an increase in the retirement age and avoiding the use of a controversial government tactic to bypass legislative votes.
While his maneuvering garnered support from some left-leaning parties, it also drew criticism from conservative factions, showcasing the ongoing tensions in French politics as Macron's administration grapples with financial management amidst rising costs and public dissatisfaction. The next significant hurdle is the main budget vote, where success remains uncertain in an evolving political landscape.
