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Will France call another election by 2026?

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Saturday that he would reverse predecessor François Bayrou's plan to eliminate two public holidays, Easter Monday and Victory in Europe Day, which was estimated to generate 4.2 billion euros for the provisional 2026 budget.

Le Figaro

Le Monde.fr

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Saturday that he would reverse predecessor François Bayrou's plan to eliminate two public holidays, Easter Monday and Victory in Europe Day, which was estimated to generate 4.2 billion euros for the provisional 2026 budget.

This comes as Fitch Ratings downgraded France's sovereign credit rating from AA- to A+ last Friday, marking the country's lowest rating ever. Fitch cited a high debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio, "political fragmentation," a "weak fiscal record" and an "uncertain fiscal consolidation path" in its decision.

European Conservative

Fitch Ratings

This comes as Fitch Ratings downgraded France's sovereign credit rating from AA- to A+ last Friday, marking the country's lowest rating ever. Fitch cited a high debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio, "political fragmentation," a "weak fiscal record" and an "uncertain fiscal consolidation path" in its decision.

François Bayrou <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/french-pm-bayrou-ousted-in-historic-noconfidence-vote-2">resigned as prime minister</a> last week after losing a parliamentary confidence vote following his attempt to implement 44 billion euros in cuts for next year's budget, leading to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/macron-names-lecornu-pm-after-bayrous-confidence-vote-loss">Lecornu's appointment</a> on Sept. 10.

François Bayrou resigned as prime minister last week after losing a parliamentary confidence vote following his attempt to implement 44 billion euros in cuts for next year's budget, leading to Lecornu's appointment on Sept. 10.

France's 2025 budget placed its annual deficit at 4.8 percent GDP for 2025, with a debt to GDP ratio of 115.5 percent. In comparison, the European Union (EU) requires member states to have a maximum debt-to-GDP ratio of 60 percent and a maximum annual deficit of three percent.

Government of France

Europarl

France's 2025 budget placed its annual deficit at 4.8 percent GDP for 2025, with a debt to GDP ratio of 115.5 percent. In comparison, the European Union (EU) requires member states to have a maximum debt-to-GDP ratio of 60 percent and a maximum annual deficit of three percent.

Speaking to Ouest-France, Lecornu stated he wanted to "present a great act of decentralization, clarification and local freedom to parliament," including merging and closing government agencies. The prime minister also stated that he would "put an end" to lifelong ministerial privileges.

Ouest France

Speaking to Ouest-France, Lecornu stated he wanted to "present a great act of decentralization, clarification and local freedom to parliament," including merging and closing government agencies. The prime minister also stated that he would "put an end" to lifelong ministerial privileges.

This comes as an Ipsos/BVA poll shows Lecornu entering office with only a 16 percent approval rating, with President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating the lowest since he entered office at 17 percent. Only 20 percent of French people believe Lecornu will successfully reach a compromise with opposition parties to adopt a budget.

ipsos

This comes as an Ipsos/BVA poll shows Lecornu entering office with only a 16 percent approval rating, with President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating the lowest since he entered office at 17 percent. Only 20 percent of French people believe Lecornu will successfully reach a compromise with opposition parties to adopt a budget.

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François Bayrou resigned as prime minister last week after losing a parliamentary confidence vote following his attempt to implement 44 billion euros in cuts for next year's budget, leading to Lecornu's appointment on September 10.

François Bayrou resigned as prime minister last week after losing a parliamentary confidence vote following his attempt to implement 44 billion euros in cuts for next year's budget, leading to Lecornu's appointment on September 10.

Government of France #

Europarl #

Speaking to Ouest-France, Lecornu stated he wanted to "present a great act of decentralization, clarification and local freedom to parliament," including merging and closing government agencies. The prime minister also stated that discussions over means to reduce France's deficit were "ongoing," with "neither denial nor panic."

Ouest France #

Speaking to Ouest-France, Lecornu stated he wanted to "present a great act of decentralization, clarification and local freedom to parliament," including merging and closing government agencies. The prime minister also stated that discussions over means to reduce France's deficit were "ongoing," with "neither denial nor panic."

ipsos #

Lecornu offers responsible governance that balances fiscal discipline with social protection amid financial uncertainty. A decentralization agenda addresses citizen frustrations with remote bureaucracy, while maintaining public holidays alongside cutting ministerial privileges shows leadership by example. With a way to go, this is a positive start by Lecornu.

Lecornu offers responsible governance that balances fiscal discipline with social protection amid financial uncertainty. A decentralization agenda addresses citizen frustrations with remote bureaucracy, while maintaining public holidays alongside cutting ministerial privileges shows leadership by example. With a way to go, this is a positive start by Lecornu.

Eric Lombard

Eric_R_Lombard

ENTRETIEN. Je retire la suppression de deux jours fris, annonce Sbastien Lecornu  Ouest-France

The Fitch downgrade exposes the dangerous consequences of political instability and fiscal irresponsibility that have plagued France for decades. Abandoning necessary budget cuts like the holiday elimination only worsens France's debt crisis, which already exceeds eurozone limits by massive margins. Without decisive action to control spending, France risks further downgrades that will increase borrowing costs and threaten economic sovereignty.

The Fitch downgrade exposes the dangerous consequences of political instability and fiscal irresponsibility that have plagued France for decades. Abandoning necessary budget cuts like the holiday elimination only worsens France's debt crisis, which already exceeds eurozone limits by massive margins. Without decisive action to control spending, France risks further downgrades that will increase borrowing costs and threaten economic sovereignty.

French PM scraps proposal to cut two public holidays

New French PM Drops Holiday Cuts After Credit Downgrade

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A reversal to holiday cuts alone will change nothing. Despite the establishment's continued attempts to tinker around the edges, France's systemic troubles lie with Macronism itself. Like all the others, Lecornu will be unwilling to do what is really needed to save the country, leaving France worse off at the behest of the president's ego.

A reversal to holiday cuts alone will change nothing. Despite the establishment's continued attempts to tinker around the edges, France's systemic troubles lie with Macronism itself. Like all the others, Lecornu will be unwilling to do what is really needed to save the country, leaving France worse off at the behest of the president's ego.

Boulevard Voltaire

Vos Commentaires Le Bal Des Faux Culs Dont Les Francais Sont Les Cocus

L'Humanite

 Vous avez abandonn la suppression des deux jours fris, mais le problme cest tout le reste  : aprs sa rencontre avec Sbastien Lecornu, Sophie Binet en appelle  la mobilisation

There is a 40% chance that Emmanuel Macron will call another snap presidential election before 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 40% chance that Emmanuel Macron will call another snap presidential election before 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

France: New PM Drops Holiday Cuts After Credit Downgrade

France: New French PM Drops Holiday Cuts After Credit Downgrade

The Spin

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