The French government is considering invoking Article 49.3 of the Constitution to expedite the 2025 budget discussions, allowing it to pass without a National Assembly vote. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon emphasized this is a “constitutional possibility” but noted it is not the Prime Minister’s intention yet. Ongoing debates have seen divisions among coalition members, particularly regarding a proposed high-income tax. Former Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne indicated that passing the budget may require ten uses of 49.3 due to the fragile majority.
The contentious article 49.3 of the Constitution is back in discussion, with its potential use being considered at the upcoming Council of Ministers meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 23, at the Elysée Palace. Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon stated on France 2 that this mechanism, which allows legislation to be passed without a vote in the National Assembly, remains a “constitutional option available to the government.” She added, “We will debate this as is customary,” but emphasized that the decision to use this method “is not the Prime Minister’s intention, and we will allow discussions to proceed as long as necessary.”
The National Assembly opened discussions concerning the revenue section of the 2025 budget on the evening of October 21. By Tuesday, some MPs, including those from the left and MoDem, who are part of the “common base” backing Michel Barnier, advocated for making the high-income surtax a permanent measure instead of a temporary three-year solution initially proposed by the government. This tax was intended to generate two billion euros for the state. Eric Coquerel, the Insoumis chair of the National Assembly’s Finance Committee, criticized the coalition’s coherence, calling it “a common base that is entirely fractured.”
Michel Barnier’s Coalition Faces Challenges in National Assembly
Maud Bregeon condemned “the tax fixation of the New Popular Front”, claiming she seeks to “protect the French.” She noted that tax increases, such as the €60 billion added by the National Assembly’s Finance Committee last week, do not reflect a viable strategy, expressing, “We started with a budget, and ended up with a tax sheet!” Ultimately, the Finance Committee version championed by LFI’s Eric Coquerel was not passed, leading MPs to review Barnier’s original budget proposal from October 10.
The coalition supporting Michel Barnier is under pressure. On Tuesday, it failed to elect Les Républicains deputy Véronique Duby-Muller for a vacant vice-presidential position in the National Assembly, resulting in ecologist Jérémie Iordanoff securing the role instead. Discussions will proceed on Friday, with a formal vote on the first segment of the 2025 finance bill slated for Tuesday, October 29.
Elisabeth Borne Predicts Multiple Uses of 49.3 for Budget Passage
The 2024 budget was successfully passed through a significant use of 49.3. Given the current tenuous majority for Elisabeth Borne, leveraging this contentious article became essential for budget approval. During her term, she invoked it 23 times. “With a relative majority, you can’t leave the country without a budget,” she defended her approach on France Inter, estimating that “to pass the budget, you would need to employ 49.3 ten times.”
Should Michel Barnier opt to activate article 49.3 during the ongoing debates, he is not restricted by constitutional limits concerning budgetary matters. However, its implementation must be preceded by deliberation in the Council of Ministers. If used, Barnier would be placing his government’s accountability at stake, triggering a potential motion of censure by MPs. A successful motion could result in the government’s dissolution, compelling the Prime Minister to resign.