Jan 27, 2026, 8:13 p.mJan 27, 2026, 8:13 p.m
France’s minority government has survived two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly due to the budget dispute. Only 267 or 140 of 577 MPs withdrew their confidence from Sébastien Lecornu’s centrist cabinet.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.Image: keystone
The votes were requested by Marine Le Pen’s right-wing nationalists on the one hand and the left, the Greens and communists on the other. The overthrow attempt was a response to Lecornu pushing the spending portion of this year’s budget through the parliamentary chamber without a final vote. Because Lecornu secured the support of the Socialists through concessions, it was already expected that he would not lose confidence.
Budget not yet finally approved
After no compromise was found on the budget despite lengthy negotiations, Lecornu decided to push the budget through parliament with a special article in the constitution. He actually wanted to avoid such an approach, which is often criticized by the opposition as undemocratic and could lead to the fall of the government.
However, the budget has not yet been finally approved. It now goes to the second chamber of parliament, the Senate. Lecornu will then have to use power again to get the text finally passed through the National Assembly. He is likely to face further votes of no confidence.
As planned, the budget is intended to reduce the deficit in heavily indebted France to five percent. The end of the budget discussions should bring a sigh of relief for companies and EU partners.
Lecornu has already had to face two votes of no confidence three times, most recently last week. Lecornu’s predecessors François Bayrou and Michel Barnier left office in a dispute over budget issues in parliament. (hkl/sda/dpa)