French National Assembly Rejects 2027 Budget Amid Nationwide Riots

The French National Assembly unanimously rejected the government's 2027 budget on Wednesday evening. Sebastien Lecornu, the Prime Minister, had proposed spending cuts of 54 billion euros to address a deficit that reached 5.1% of GDP in 2025 and to stabilize bond markets.

Because no single party holds a majority in the hung parliament, the administration is expected to utilize constitutional special powers, including Article 49.3 or ordinance powers, to force the budget into law without a parliamentary vote.

This political deadlock occurs alongside severe civil unrest. Student protests over education funding that began in late September have evolved into nationwide riots and looting, resulting in over 1 billion euros in damages. On Thursday, citizens launched nationwide strikes to protest the rising cost of living.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes to maintain order across the country. In Lyon, security forces reportedly used tear gas against demonstrators to quell the violence.