The French prime minister plans to invoke a constitutional provision to force the 2026 budget through parliament without a vote.

French Prime Minister Le Gocerney said on Monday that if the bill gains enough political support to ensure survival beyond the inevitable vote of no confidence, the government will use the special powers granted by the constitution to force the 2026 budget through parliament. Le Gocerney said after a cabinet meeting that he plans to invoke Article 49.3 of the constitution to bypass a vote on the financial bill in parliament, breaking a previous promise not to use this power. "I am doing this with regret because I realize that I have to go back on my word," Le Gocerney told reporters. Le Gocerney said he will formally invoke Article 49.3 in the lower house on Tuesday to pass revenue legislation, before submitting it to the Senate. This move comes after three months of efforts by the centrist government to introduce a budget that can reduce deficits. An official said the government expects the budget to be finally approved in the first half of February.