French PM Sebastien Lecornu survives no-confidence vote as budget battle looms

He's survived the hunt, but the snipers are still in the tall grass. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has narrowly cleared a major legislative hurdle by surviving two no-confidence motions in parliament on January 14, 2026. According to Reuters, the victory allows the government to pivot its focus toward a high-stakes showdown over the nation's looming budget deficit.

Lecornu survives French PM no-confidence vote over EU trade deal

The challenges, brought forward by the far-right National Rally (RN) and the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI), were triggered by fierce opposition to the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Critics accused the government of failing to protect French interests after EU member states approved the deal with South American nations including Argentina and Brazil.

The motion filed by LFI garnered 256 votes in favor—falling 32 votes short of the majority needed to topple the executive. The RN's separate motion received only 142 votes. Lecornu fired back at his opponents, accusing them of acting like snipers firing into the executive's back while the country faces international disruptions.

The 2026 budget showdown and Article 49.3

With the trade dispute temporarily settled in parliament, the focus shifts to the 2026 finance bill. France is under intense pressure to lower a deficit that remains near 5%. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon indicated that "nothing is excluded," hinting at the use of Article 49.3 of the Constitution to bypass a vote. While effective, such a move often triggers further no-confidence attempts, maintaining a cycle of political instability that has haunted France since the 2024 elections.