France's National Assembly failed to approve the revenue section of the 2027 budget on Nov. 4, stopping lawmakers before they could examine spending provisions and sending the government's original proposal to the Senate for review.
The Assembly's official tally recorded 458 votes against the amended section, none in favor and two abstentions. The vote blocked progress to the spending provisions during the bill's first reading.
The government forecast a public deficit of 5.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) for 2026 and set a 5% target for 2027. Its budget presentation describes a €54 billion consolidation effort, including €43 billion in measures across the budget bills.
Public Accounts Minister David Amiel said the 2027 deficit would have reached 5.9% of GDP if the revenue section, as amended during debate, had been approved, above the government's 5% target. The budget presentation also projects public debt-interest costs of €91.2 billion in 2027, up from €79.2 billion in 2026; EconoTimes previously covered the budget's interest-cost projections.
Anadolu Agency reported that the prime minister's office said compromise talks would follow Senate review, with a possible agreement in December based on the government's proposal and the Senate's version.
