Threats of censure, ‘social war’, ‘too hard on middle-class’: reaction to France’s austerity budget

Criticisms against plans announced yesterday by French Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €44 billion in the upcoming budget have flown in thick and fast from all sides. 

The prime minister said the cuts were required to avoid the country succumbing to a debt crisis similar to Greece in 2008. 

A spokesperson for French President Emmanuel Macron said the plans showed "courage, boldness and clarity," when asked how he reacted.

"He thanked the Prime Minister, encouraged the government and reiterated that the lifeblood of our nation is, of course, growth," the spokesperson added.

However, plans to freeze social spending, increase taxes on many pensioners and keep tax bands at current levels have led to backlash across the political spectrum. 

The budget must pass through parliament to be enacted, and with Mr Bayrou lacking a majority of MPs in his current coalition he must find agreement with either the left/far-left or far-right to vote the measures through. 

Failure to do so would leave no option but an attempt to force the budget through without a vote (known as a 49.3 measure), the very circumstance that led to the ousting of predecessor Michel Barnier in December 2024. 

Otherwise, France may go a second straight year without passing a budget in time, leading to unprecedented political chaos and forcing President Emmanuel Macron to appoint yet another prime minister.

Far-right: ‘Nothing short of a provocation’

The far-right Rassemblement National (RN) immediately criticised plans to remove two public holidays from the French calendar. 

“No RN MP will accept this measure, which is nothing short of a provocation,” said RN president Jordan Bardella, who warned that attempts to pass a measure would result in a motion of no confidence against the government. 

With the support of the left – last year, the far-right voted for the left-wing motion of no confidence to oust Michel Barnier, so sides may be switched this time – a censure would easily bring Mr Bayrou’s tenure to an end. 

However, the prime minister said the idea was not set in stone and alternative suggestions could be accepted. 

“The RN immediately jumped on it because it's something everyone understands. Politically, it could be an excellent idea on François Bayrou's part,” said political commentator Benjamin Morel to FranceInfo. 

“He's waving a red flag that he's ready to throw away. The RN will be able to add it to its list of achievements” he added.

Mr Morel believes that the prime minister may be willing to throw out the controversial measure to gain the support of the RN in passing through the other policies. 

The political make-up of the chamber means that with the support – or even abstention – of far-right MPs in the deciding vote, a budget backed by the minority government would pass.

However, it may not be enough to halt the ire of the far-right, as measures that would increase taxes on pensioners (through the abolition of the 10% tax allowance) have previously been denoted as ‘red-lines’ by the RN. 

“This government prefers to attack the French people, workers and pensioners, rather than crack down on waste... If François Bayrou does not revise his plans, we will censure him,” said the RN talisman Marine Le Pen. 

Far-left: ‘Making the masses pay to spare the very rich’

Equal criticism and threats came from Mr Bayrou’s left, with MPs arguing the plans would unfairly impact lower-income households despite the prime minister’s claims it was a collective national effort. 

“Making the masses pay to spare the very rich... Be careful, we are approaching the point of no return. Destruction and injustice must no longer be accepted. It is urgent to put an end to Macronism,” said far-left politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon. 

Leader of the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) in the Assemblée nationale Mathilde Panot called the measures ‘social war’ and said the group would plan a vote of no confidence against the prime minister. 

The LFI are the largest party to the left of the government, however the Socialist Party have over 60 MPs and are a powerful force in the left bloc.

Earlier in the year they agreed not to join any vote of no confidence against Mr Bayrou, in return for him cancelling planned job cuts in the education sector. 

This effectively negated the threat of a vote of no confidence, which requires both the left and right groups to align to oust the prime minister (although several motions can be filed, two-thirds of MPs must vote during the same motion for it to pass).

However, after the announcement yesterday, leader of the Socialist Party Olivier Faure said that “on the current basis, the only possible outcome is a vote of no confidence.” 

The early announcement of the budget – usually only brought into the public eye in October – is seen as a plan by the governmental camp to allow for extended negotiations on the proposals.

Mr Bayrou has given himself breathing space with other parties in an attempt to gain support for his measures, or obtain concessions in other areas for the majority of the bill to be passed. 

However, criticism has not come solely from opposition parties with some members of the government also believing the measures are too strict. 

Right: ‘Once again, it is mainly the middle classes who will be called upon to contribute’

While centrist MPs are largely supportive of the plans – even though some have admitted passing the bill will be an uphill struggle – those in the right-wing Les Républicains party allied with the centrists have attacked the measure. 

“Once again, it is mainly the middle classes who will be called upon to contribute, even though it is through their mobilisation and their labour that the country can recover: yet another misinterpretation,” said right-winger Xavier Bertrand. 

Previously, right-wing leaders have said measures such as freezing tax bands – included in the budgetary outline – are a ‘red line’ they will not vote for.

If the LR chooses to remove its support of the government over the bill, the chance of passing the budget will be minimal as close to three quarters of MPs will be opposed to it.