French PM Lecornu will use special power to force through budget with ‘regret’
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed on Monday that he will invoke a special constitutional power, Article 49.3, to force a budget for 2026 through parliament without a vote. The decision, he said, was made with "regret" after budget negotiations came to an impasse. The use of Article 49.3 can trigger a no-confidence vote, which can topple the government.