Politics · France · 1 hr ago
French lawmakers begin debate on budget revenue measures
French lawmakers began debating the revenue section of the government’s budget in the National Assembly in Paris on Tuesday.
A finance committee had amended and then rejected the proposal, so lawmakers are now starting from the government’s original text.
Many lawmakers opposed reducing a tax break for retirees, a change that would have raised 1.5 billion euros.
Other disputes concern a proposed tax of at least 2% on fortunes above 100 million euros, inheritance tax rules and possible extra spending on education and household support.
The debate weighs tax and spending choices against the goal of cutting the deficit to 5%, which the government says is needed to reassure financial markets and limit borrowing costs.
Lawmakers will continue examining the budget, while the government may include some amendments and has already extended fuel assistance; any extra spending would need to be offset elsewhere.
French lawmakers began debating the revenue section of the government’s draft 2026 budget on Tuesday, 13 October.
The draft was rejected almost unanimously by the finance committee, so the National Assembly is debating the government’s original text.
Disputes include a proposed cut to retirees’ tax relief, taxes on wealthy households and changes to inheritance tax rules.
The government has already reversed plans to raise fees for some students and extended fuel aid to more people.
The government says the final budget must bring the deficit down to 5% to reassure financial markets and avoid a financial crisis.
- Who
- Members of France’s National Assembly are debating the budget. The government proposed the draft.
- What
- Lawmakers began examining the revenue section of the draft budget.
- When
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
- Where
- The National Assembly in Paris, France.
- Why
- The debate is part of the budget process; the government says the final budget must reduce the deficit to 5%.
Government
Lawmakers opposing or seeking changes to its measures
Retirees’ tax relief
Government
The government’s draft proposes lowering the ceiling on the tax allowance for retirees.
Lawmakers opposing or seeking changes to its measures
Lawmakers rejected the proposed reduction in committee.
Taxing wealthy households
Government
The draft includes a contribution on high incomes.
Lawmakers opposing or seeking changes to its measures
The left supports a proposed Zucman tax of at least 2% on wealth above €100 million, and left-wing and Liot lawmakers have called for changes to the high-income contribution.
The finance committee amended the government’s draft budget and rejected it almost unanimously.
Lawmakers began examining the budget’s revenue section in the National Assembly, after a debate on debt.
The government reversed plans to raise fees for students in BTS programmes and preparatory classes.
A demonstration was scheduled to call for the defence of purchasing power.
- Draft status
- Rejected almost unanimously by the finance committee
- Retirees’ tax measures
- €1.5 billion in expected revenue from the proposed reduction was abandoned by lawmakers
- Retiree savings measures
- €5.5 billion including the pension freeze or below-inflation adjustment planned in the social security budget
- Zucman tax proposal
- At least 2% on wealth above €100 million
- High-income contribution
- 20% for people with annual income above €250,000
- Deficit target
- 5%
What people are saying
We saw the same political parties that claim to support young people vote against all measures that asked retirees for the slightest effort
Sources
Related news
Students and unions prepare nationwide protests over French school conditions
Armed pupil wounds teacher and principal at Aubagne school
20 education staff injured in one day of French student protests
Oxfam France challenges the state over tax inequality
French student protesters compare experiences with activists from 1986 and 2006
Raphaël Glucksmann wins French centre-left presidential primary
French minister says extra education spending must be funded by savings elsewhere
Medef chief says young people in France lack support as student protests grow
Student protests put young voters on France’s presidential campaign agenda
France says deployment of 3,000 substitute teachers has begun
French lawmakers vote to make supermarket use of meal vouchers permanent
