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French PM Lecornu Plans Controversial Budget Move Amid Crisis

1/19/2026

49 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu plans to invoke Article 49.3 to pass the 2026 budget without a vote.
The move follows stalled negotiations and a prior pledge not to use this power.
Lecornu seeks Socialist support to avoid ouster after facing a risk of a no-confidence vote from the France Unbowed party.
The government remains tense as it grapples with a budget impasse and a lost parliamentary majority.

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Story summary

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu plans to invoke Article 49.3 to pass the 2026 budget without a vote.
The move follows stalled negotiations and a prior pledge not to use this power.
Lecornu seeks Socialist support to avoid ouster after facing a risk of a no-confidence vote from the France Unbowed party.
The government remains tense as it grapples with a budget impasse and a lost parliamentary majority.