Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – The French National Assembly (lower house of parliament) passed the draft social security budget for 2026 on the evening of the 9th local time.
This draft social security budget is part of the government's 2026 budget draft, which had previously undergone multiple debates and deliberations in the National Assembly and been revised several times. The draft includes a confirmation of suspending pension system reforms, considered a key step by the government in fulfilling its promises to left-wing parties such as the Socialist Party.
According to the voting results announced that evening, the draft received 247 votes in favor and 234 votes against, ultimately passing by a narrow margin of 13 votes. A majority of members from the ruling party and parties such as the Socialist Party voted in favor, while a majority of members from the far-right National Rally party and the far-left La France Insoumise party voted against.
French Prime Minister Le Corny congratulated the National Assembly on the passage of the 2026 social security budget draft via social media that evening and thanked the members of all parties who voted in favor of the draft. He reiterated that abandoning the use of Article 49.3 of the Constitution to force the National Assembly to pass the draft budget was achievable. He also spoke positively of the draft, believing it "marks an end to the continuous deterioration of French public finances."
Social security spending accounts for more than 40% of total public sector spending in France, covering social welfare, healthcare, and pensions. The French government remains committed to its goal of keeping the 2026 deficit below 5% of GDP, with the social security deficit capped at €20 billion. Le Corny had previously warned that if the social security budget failed to pass parliament, the deficit could reach €30 billion.
In December 2024, then-Prime Minister Barnier decided to bypass the National Assembly, invoking Article 49.3 of the Constitution to force the passage of the 2025 social security budget without a parliamentary vote. The National Assembly subsequently passed a motion of no confidence in the government, and Barnier resigned as prime minister. (End)
