French Government Begins Talks to Break 2025 Budget Deadlock

Ministers are consulting political parties to draft a new budget after the previous proposal was rejected in December.

France currently lacks an approved budget for 2025 following the December 4 censure of the previous government's proposal.
Economy Minister Éric Lombard and Public Accounts Minister Amélie de Montchalin initiated discussions with parliamentary political groups on December 30.
The consultations aim to incorporate diverse political perspectives into a revised budget plan to be presented to Prime Minister François Bayrou.
A temporary 'special law' allows ministries to operate with limited spending based on the 2024 budget until a new budget is finalized.
The government hopes to secure parliamentary approval for the amended budget by mid-February, though success remains uncertain.