France’s Joint Parliamentary Committee (CMP) has reached an agreement on the 2025 Finance Bill following days of intense deliberations. The committee, comprising 14 members of parliament, conducted a thorough review of the budget draft starting Thursday morning, culminating in a consensus by Friday morning. The approved draft is set to be presented to the National Assembly on Monday, where it will undergo further debate.
The CMP members, who began their work early Thursday, aimed to finalize a joint version of the budget. The process was marked by the dominance of lawmakers aligned with the Prime Minister, enabling the government coalition to secure approval despite opposition from left-wing and National Rally members. Jean Rénier Cazenave, a CMP member and leader of the Renaissance Party, described the agreement as a “historic compromise that will benefit France.” He emphasized that maintaining the deficit target at 5.4% was a challenging but crucial achievement, adding that the budget is designed to improve the daily lives of citizens.
However, the opposition voiced mixed reactions. Boris Vallaud, leader of the Socialist Party, acknowledged that while the budget was not their initiative, it included significant wins such as funding for green initiatives, bio-agency projects, public transportation, and the reinstatement of 4,000 teaching positions. “We have always prioritized the interests of the French people,” Vallaud stated.
In contrast, left-wing leader Éric Coquerel expressed concerns over the government’s decision to further increase pre-planned budget cuts, arguing that such measures are detrimental to public welfare. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne’s advisor, François Barrot, hinted at the potential use of Article 49.3 of the Constitution, a controversial provision that allows the government to bypass parliamentary voting to pass the budget. This move would eliminate the need for parliamentary approval, a tactic often criticized for undermining democratic processes.
The Finance Bill will now proceed to the National Assembly on Monday, where it will face further scrutiny and debate before a final decision is made. The outcome will have significant implications for France’s economic trajectory and public policy in the coming year.
