Paris, October 3, 2025 – The Europe Today: French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on Friday ruled out invoking special constitutional powers to push the 2026 budget through parliament without a vote, urging lawmakers instead to reach a compromise.
The announcement came ahead of crucial talks with political rivals, including the Socialist Party and the far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally or RN), as the government seeks to pass a pared-down budget amid a fractured legislature. Failure to secure an agreement could risk triggering a no-confidence vote and Lecornu’s potential ouster.
“In a functioning parliament – one that’s been recently renewed and reflects the face of France – you can’t just force things through,” Lecornu told reporters in his first televised address since his appointment as President Emmanuel Macron’s fifth prime minister in two years.
Under Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, the prime minister has the power to bypass a parliamentary vote and enact legislation directly. However, doing so exposes the government to a no-confidence motion that could lead to its collapse. Critics of the mechanism argue that it undermines parliamentary democracy, though it has often been used by previous administrations to pass contentious bills.
By rejecting the use of Article 49.3, Lecornu has shifted responsibility onto parliament, calling on lawmakers from across the political spectrum to negotiate a viable compromise before the end-of-year deadline. “What struck me is that behind the closed doors of my office, compromises are possible, discussions are serious, always sincere,” he remarked.
Although offering few policy specifics, Lecornu signaled openness to refining the unpopular pension reform and discussing measures to make the tax system fairer, particularly regarding the wealthiest 0.1 percent of society. However, he dismissed the so-called “Zucman tax” proposed by the left.
