The no-confidence motion was aimed at protesting the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur.
Published January 14, 2026
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has survived two votes of no confidence in parliament, paving the way for the government to focus on further budget showdowns in the coming days.
The no-confidence motion, filed by the far-right National Rally (RN) and the hard-left France Inboud (LFI), is aimed at protesting a trade deal between the European Union and the South American bloc Southern Common Market, or Mercosur.
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Last week, European Union member states approved the long-debated deal with Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, despite opposition from France.
France’s RN and LFI parties accused the government of not doing enough to stop it.
“At home, you are a government of vassals serving the wealthy. Outside, you are humiliating our country before the European Commission and the American Empire,” LFI leader Mathilde Panot told the government in a speech in parliament ahead of Wednesday’s no-confidence vote.
Lecorne said the time spent on the no-confidence vote had further delayed the difficult debate on the country’s 2026 budget, and said political leaders should focus on the budget instead.
“At the very moment we need to confront international turmoil, you are acting like a sniper ambushing and firing into the backs of executives.”
But on Wednesday, both motions failed. The proposal submitted by LFI received only 256 votes in favor, 32 votes short of the required number for the motion to pass. A second motion put forward by the far right received 142 votes, but it also failed.
The Socialist Party has ruled out supporting a no-confidence motion, and the conservative Republican Party also said it would not vote to censure the government over Mercosur.
French government officials told Reuters the next step would be tough budget negotiations. Mr Lecornu has the option of invoking Article 49(3) of the Constitution, which allows him to force the finance bill to a vote without a vote after negotiating in writing with all parties except the RN and LFI.
The option could lead to another no-confidence motion, but lawmakers want to end weeks of wrangling over the budget even if the country’s budget deficit remains near 5%, the people added.
Government spokeswoman Maud Brejon said on Tuesday that “nothing is ruled out” in passing the budget.
France, the eurozone’s second-largest economy, is under pressure to reduce its huge budget deficit. However, political instability has delayed such efforts since Macron’s snap election in 2024 rendered parliament dysfunctional.
Budget disputes have already toppled three governments since the 2024 election, including that of former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, who lost a no-confidence vote over his own budget.
