The copy will have been well amended. The deputies should complete, this Wednesday afternoon, the examination in the Finance Commission of the revenue part of the state budget for 2026, probably with the rejection of a text that, according to the left, does not propose sufficient fiscal equity measures. The Finance Commission of the National Assembly, which began its work on Monday morning, must complete it as planned during the night from Wednesday to Thursday.
During a press conference at noon, the president of the Finance Commission, Éric Coquerel (LFI), criticized a “Frankenstein budget”, in which “in the end no one will recognize themselves.” He predicted that it would be “beaten” in the chamber, where the text will arrive on Friday, for a solemn vote scheduled for November 4. The deputies will leave the session with the initial copy of the Government, and the work in committee will above all allow the balance of power to be measured.
Uncertainties about left-wing support
Key to the survival of Sébastien Lecornu’s government, the PS will decide its vote “in the end”, according to the party’s budget leader, Philippe Brun (PS). But several PS sources foresee a vote against, at least in committee.
“It is in the chamber where we can reach agreements,” adds another PS source, recalling that the income voted in the State budget is intended to allow the Social Security budget and the “expenses” part of the State budget to be purged of its most abrasive measures.
On Monday night, the left failed to pass the Zucman tax, named after economist Gabriel Zucman, which aims to force taxpayers with at least €100 million in assets to pay a minimum tax of 2%, including professional assets. He also failed to reinstate a wealth tax.
“gafam” tax
The Government has also suffered some disappointments, with the adoption of measures that would increase the public deficit if they were ratified: on Tuesday, deputies rejected the elimination of the 10% tax reduction from which retirees benefit, with an estimated cost of 1.2 billion, according to the General Rapporteur of the Budget, Philippe Juvin (LR).
On Monday they marginally revised the freeze on the income tax scale, excluding the first tranche of the tax from the system, for an estimated cost of 700,000 euros.
The commissioners also voted on a series of revenues: the perpetuation of the “tonnage surcharge” created last year and which mainly targets the shipowner CMA-CGM, the exceptional contribution to super-dividends or even the “Gafam” tax on the profits of American technology giants, the latter supported by Renaissance.
Deputies also approved reductions in tax expenditure, with an amendment by Christine Pirès-Beaune (PS) modifying the methods of calculating the research tax credit (CIR), which should provide 960 million euros.
Electricity price control.
On Wednesday, amid an avalanche of measures affecting electronic cigarettes and hunting trophies, in particular a greening of fuels used in maritime transport, an increase in VAT on luxury products to 33% and a modification of the LFI aimed at regulating electricity prices were approved.
Shortly before 8:00 p.m., debates became tense when deputies adopted an amendment by former Housing Minister Guillaume Kasbarian (Renaissance), which seeks to halve the property tax exemption enjoyed by social landlords. A “shameful” amendment, which “puts these actors in even more difficulties”, criticized Claire Lejeune (LFI).
Source: BFM TV
