France: Prime Minister Decides Not to Invoke Article 49.3 to Pass the 2026 Budget and Emphasizes Strengthening Parliamentary Dialogue
On Friday, October 3, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced his decision to forgo the use of Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass the 2026 budget, marking a significant shift in the government’s approach towards a more open dialogue with lawmakers. Lecornu emphasized the importance of enabling each deputy to exercise their authority and contribute to a more balanced parliamentary legislative process.
This announcement comes as the government prepares to form a new cabinet and engages in consultations with political parties, including the Socialist Party (PS) and the National Rally (RN), in an effort to avoid presenting a motion of no confidence. The Prime Minister clarified that his goal is to reach compromises on issues such as pensions, taxes, purchasing power, and immigration, while calling for shared responsibility between the government and legislators.
This move aims to enhance cooperation with conservative allies and restore trust in a divided Parliament, despite reservations from some opposition figures, such as Senator Agnès Evren, who noted that negotiations among different political forces in the National Assembly could be complex.
