BFMTV SURVEY. More than 7 in 10 French people consider the government budget to be “unfair” and “ineffective in reducing debt”

The budget marathon has begun in Parliament and the French are already strict with the government’s project. According to a “Live Opinion” survey by the Elabe Institute for BFMTV published this Wednesday, October 22, more than seven in ten French people consider the government budget “unfair” (75%) and “ineffective in reducing debt” (76% of respondents).

In his budget project for 2026, Sébastien Lecornu plans to distribute the effort to reduce the public deficit in two thirds on the reduction of public spending and one third on an increase in taxes. For six out of ten French people, the efforts required are too great.

Poor distribution of effort.

72% of French people believe that the effort should focus more on reducing public spending, compared to 10% on increasing taxes, while 17% believe that the distribution of effort is well balanced, according to the results of the Elabe survey. In comparison, this position is more present in public opinion than during the budget proposed by François Bayrou (66% on January 9).

This opinion is shared by all voters, although it can be seen that NFP (New Popular Front) voters are a little more divided.

The majority of French people are in favor of an increase in the contribution of high incomes. More than 3 out of 4 French people (77%) are in favor of the introduction of the Zucman tax, which plans to force taxpayers with assets of at least 100 million euros to pay a minimum tax of 2% of this assets, including professional assets.

Suspension of pension reform supported

The suspension of the pension reform, announced by Sébastien Lecornu during his general policy statement, obtains majority support, but without massive support (57%). The study also estimates that three out of four French people are in favor (74%) of organizing a referendum to reform pensions. Emmanuel Macron stated on Tuesday in Slovenia that “the prospects of a referendum are possible”, but this presupposes that an “agreement” on the contours of the system is first “sealed”.

Although this budget proposal does not arouse the enthusiasm of the French surveyed, 48% of those who responded to the survey preferred a bad budget to no budget at all. 39% think that a bad budget should be censored.

Furthermore, the majority of French people (58%) expect the opposition to favor the search for a compromise on censorship. Almost one in two French people (47%) believe that Sébastien Lecornu will be able to reach compromises and get the budget voted on.

Among the priorities that public opinion directs to the executive for the coming months: public debt occupies third place and pensions sixth, far behind purchasing power, which continues to be the number one priority. Health is also considered a priority for action.