French Prime Minister Michel Barnier made a significant concession on Monday to Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party, agreeing to drop planned cuts to medication reimbursements in a last-minute effort to secure support for his 2025 budget. This move, however, may not be enough to prevent a looming parliamentary crisis, as RN officials have made clear they have further demands ahead of a crucial vote at 3:00 p.m. (1400 GMT).
Barnier’s decision to eliminate medication cuts comes after other compromises, including scrapping a proposed electricity price hike worth €3 billion and agreeing to reduce free medical assistance for illegal migrants. Despite these concessions, RN spokesman Philippe Ballard stressed that the party still expects Barnier to raise pensions in line with inflation.
The Prime Minister’s fragile coalition, which relies on RN support to function, is facing mounting pressure. Barnier’s 2025 budget aims to reduce France’s growing public deficit, including €60 billion ($63 billion) in tax hikes and spending cuts. However, the government is at risk of being toppled if it fails to secure enough votes for the social security financing bill, which is set to be voted on Monday afternoon.
If the bill does not pass, Barnier may invoke article 49.3 of the constitution, bypassing the vote but triggering a potential no-confidence motion. The RN and the left-wing opposition could use this to attempt to oust the government as early as Wednesday, threatening the stability of France’s leadership and its economic recovery. The outcome of this budget showdown will be crucial for Barnier’s government and the future political landscape in France.
