French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s initial proposals for the 2026 budget have ignited a political firestorm, prompting immediate threats of no-confidence votes from both the Socialist Party and the far-left La France Insoumise (France Unbowed). The far-right National Rally has also voiced deep dissatisfaction, signaling a challenging parliamentary path ahead for the newly appointed Prime Minister. The backlash follows an interview published Friday, September 27, 2025, in *Le Parisien* daily, where Lecornu outlined his government’s economic direction.
In the interview, Prime Minister Lecornu firmly rejected key left-wing demands, including the proposed Zucman tax, a return of the wealth tax (ISF), and any suspension of the contentious pension reforms. He also underscored that his ministers must align with the “central bloc’s” major policy orientations, signalling continuity with President Emmanuel Macron’s established agenda.
Olivier Faure, the First Secretary of the Socialist Party (PS), was quick to renew his threat of a no-confidence vote against the government. “If we were to ask ourselves today whether to censure or not (…), we would censure because no effort has been made,” Faure stated on TF1 following Lecornu’s remarks. He added in a communiqué, “Without major change in direction, we will censure this government,” although the party is still scheduled to meet the Prime Minister “one last time next week.” Faure had been photographed at the Matignon Palace in Paris on September 17, 2025.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, immediately called for a unified left-wing response. “The fools are served: Lecornu is doing a Macron. No more, no less. At least it’s frank. It’s time for the left of the hemicycle to rally to the rebellious censure,” Mélenchon posted on X (formerly Twitter), announcing LFI’s intent to file a no-confidence motion at the resumption of the parliamentary session.
The discontent extends beyond the left. Thomas Ménagé, a National Rally (RN) Member of Parliament and spokesperson for his group, voiced strong criticism on France Inter. “Today, we have a Prime Minister who is heading straight for the wall,” Ménagé asserted. He argued that Lecornu, who had “promised (…) a rupture” (a break from previous policies), was now indicating “he will change nothing.” Ménagé further criticized the Prime Minister’s insistence on ministers adhering to the “central bloc’s” agenda, claiming “the French expect anything but Macronism.” The National Rally plans to decide on whether to support a censure motion “in a few days or weeks.”
The Prime Minister had earlier indicated his intention to form his government before the start of parliamentary work, expected in early October. However, the widespread political opposition to his budget proposals suggests a challenging legislative period ahead.
