France Considers Executive Powers to Pass Austerity Budget
Finance Minister Roland Lescure says the government will use all available powers to pass spending cuts amid violent nationwide student protests.
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure announced the government is prepared to use clause 49.3 of the constitution to bypass Parliament and pass a 2027 budget featuring billions of euros in spending cuts. The government aims to reduce the budget deficit from 5.4% to 5% of economic output to comply with European Union limits, citing high debt levels at 119% of GDP and rising interest rates on government bonds.
While initial proposals sought cuts of 54 billion euros across state and social sectors, the current plan focuses on 43 billion euros in reductions, including the elimination of over 1,500 teacher positions and lower inflation indexing for pensions. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu may also utilize executive orders if the budget remains stalled 70 days after submission.
The fiscal tightening has triggered nationwide student protests over overcrowded classrooms and the Parcoursup admissions system. On Tuesday, over 260,000 people demonstrated, resulting in violent clashes and more than 200 student injuries. Education Minister Édouard Geffray held a meeting with student representatives to ease tensions, but the effort was unsuccessful.
Political opposition is led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Marine Le Pen. Le Pen criticized the budget as ineffective and unfair, though she acknowledged bond market pressures and proposed her own plan to cut 140 billion euros by 2032. The budget crisis is expected to be a central issue in the spring 2027 presidential elections.
