France's National Assembly unanimously rejected the 2027 state budget bill on Wednesday evening, a further sign that Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will have a tough time getting through €43 billion in budget savings amid a stagnating economy and mounting debt.
The rejection, which saw 458 lawmakers from both Emmanuel Macron's camp and the opposition vote against the first part of the text dealing with tax income, was widely expected given Lecornu's lack of a majority in the lower chamber. The second part, covering spending, was also struck down as a result.
The government's draft will now go directly to the Senate for debate starting November 20. The lower chamber had already rejected the other leg of the 2027 budget covering state pensions and the health care system.
France's economy is stagnating, with debt piling up and the risk of a financial crisis looming. Lecornu's government has pledged to bring the deficit, the difference between government spending and revenue, down to 5% of GDP next year. Budget Minister David Amiel warned that after amendments, the version rejected that night would have brought the deficit to 5.9%.
With the April 2027 presidential election approaching, the government has insisted it aims to adopt the budget by the end of the year, something it failed to do with the two previous budgets. Options include again using Article 49.3 of the Constitution, which allows bypassing a parliamentary vote but exposes the government to no-confidence motions, or adopting the budget through executive orders, an unprecedented step in France's recent history.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- France's fiscal stability is at risk: a stagnant economy and rising debt mean failure to pass a credible budget could trigger a financial crisis.
- The rejection underscores political gridlock in a fractured parliament, raising questions about governance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
- The outcome may force the government to use controversial procedural tools, testing democratic norms and public tolerance.
Background
France's National Assembly is split among several blocs, with no single party holding a majority. Prime Minister Lecornu was appointed in mid-2025 after a snap election failed to produce a clear winner. His government has struggled to pass budgets, relying on Article 49.3 to force through previous fiscal plans. The 2027 budget is considered critical for reducing France's deficit, which the European Union has warned is unsustainable.
Key Perspectives
Government (Budget Minister David Amiel): warned that after the amendments, the rejected version would have brought the deficit to 5.9%.
Lawmakers across parties: voted unanimously against the bill, with 458 from both Macron's camp and the opposition rejecting the first part.
What to Watch
- Senate debate starting November 20: the upper house's response will shape whether the budget can be salvaged.
- Whether the government triggers Article 49.3 or opts for executive orders, and the political fallout from either move.
- The European Commission's reaction, as France faces pressure under EU fiscal rules to reduce its deficit.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe National Assembly unanimously rejected the 2027 state budget bill on Wednesday evening.Politico Europe: “France’s National Assembly unanimously rejected the 2027 state budget bill Wednesday night”
- SupportedLecornu will have a tough time getting through €43 billion in budget savings.Politico Europe: “in a further sign that Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will have a tough time getting through €43 billion in budget savings.”
- Supported458 lawmakers from Macron’s camp and the opposition voted against the first part of the bill, dealing with tax income.Politico Europe: “458 lawmakers from both Emmanuel Macron’s camp and the opposition voted against the first part of the text that deals with tax income.”
- SupportedThe rejection was widely expected because Lecornu lacks a majority in the lower chamber.Politico Europe: “With Lecornu lacking a majority in the lower chamber, the rejection was widely expected”
- SupportedThe bill’s second part, covering spending, was also struck down.Politico Europe: “The second part of the text, which covers spending, was also struck down as a result.”
- SupportedThe government’s draft will go directly to the Senate for debate starting November 20.Politico Europe: “The government’s draft budget will now go directly to the Senate where it will be debated from Nov. 20.”
- SupportedThe lower chamber had already rejected the other leg of the 2027 budget, covering state pensions and health care.Politico Europe: “The French lower chamber had already rejected the other leg of the 2027 budget, which covers state pensions and the health care system.”
- SupportedFrance’s economy is stagnating.Politico Europe: “With France’s economy stagnating , debt piling up and the risk of a financial crisis looming over the country”
- SupportedThe government has pledged to bring the deficit down to 5% of GDP next year.Politico Europe: “It has pledged to bring down the deficit — the difference between how much the government spends and how much it brings in — to 5% of the gross domestic product next year.”
- SupportedBudget Minister David Amiel warned that the amended version rejected that night would have brought the deficit to 5.9%.Politico Europe: “Budget Minister David Amiel warned on Wednesday that, after the amendments, the version of the budget rejected that night would have brought the deficit to 5.9%.”
- SupportedThe government aims to adopt the budget by the end of the year.Politico Europe: “the government has repeatedly insisted that it aims to adopt the budget by the end of the year”
- SupportedThe government could use Article 49.3 to bypass a parliamentary vote, exposing it to no-confidence motions, or adopt the budget through executive orders.Politico Europe: “The government could either use Article 49.3 of the Constitution again, a provision that allows it to bypass a parliamentary vote but exposes it to no-confidence motions. It could also adopt the budget through executive orders”