Thu Feb 06 16:55:51 UTC 2025: ## French Parliament Passes Controversial 2025 Budget After Political Turmoil
**Paris, France –** The French parliament has finally approved the 2025 national budget after a protracted period of political upheaval. The budget, characterized by €30 billion in spending cuts and €20 billion in tax increases, passed the Senate Thursday with a vote of 219 to 107. The lower house, the National Assembly, saw the budget pushed through earlier this week by Prime Minister Francois Bayrou using Article 49.3 of the constitution, bypassing a direct vote.
The budget’s passage marks a victory for Bayrou, who took office last year amidst a political crisis that saw the previous government fall over the same budgetary disagreements. He has so far successfully weathered multiple no-confidence votes, although analysts warn his position remains precarious. The opposition, including the far-right National Rally and the Socialists, chose not to support the no-confidence motions, despite their opposition to the budget’s contents. Finance Minister Eric Lombard described the budget as a crucial step towards financial recovery, aiming to reduce the public deficit to 5.4% of GDP.
The government plans to use the same method – Article 49.3 – to pass the social security budget. While Bayrou has bought himself some time, the possibility of future no-confidence votes backed by a broader opposition coalition remains a significant threat to his administration.
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