ISTANBUL

France Unbowed (LFI) coordinator Manuel Bompard on Monday warned that the party will file a motion of censure if the French government tries to push the 2026 state budget through parliament using Article 49.3 of the Constitution or by ordinance.

Speaking on BFMTV-RMC, Bompard said the left-wing movement’s position was unchanged after the National Assembly rejected the entire revenue component of the bill on first reading. “My goal is to overthrow the government,” he said, adding that LFI intends to “beat this budget for good.”

“If the government tries to force through its budget, by 49.3 or by decree, then obviously we will file a motion of censure,” he said.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, appointed in September, has so far avoided using Article 49.3, which allows a government to adopt a bill without a vote in exchange for assuming responsibility for it. His caution was welcomed by the Socialist Party, which called it a “victory” for parliamentary democracy.

Bompard, however, said renewed calls for 49.3 were emerging. “I can see the same old tune coming back from those who, including among the socialist deputies, are now asking for the 49.3 to be brought back. A little bit of political consistency,” he said.

The rejection of the revenue bill -- a rare setback for a government without an absolute majority -- has deepened doubts about the executive’s ability to pass a deficit-cutting budget before year’s end.

Bompard also said LFI “would prefer” that President Emmanuel Macron resign rather than dissolve the National Assembly again, arguing that France faces “16 months where nothing will be done” before the 2027 presidential election due to entrenched political deadlock. He insisted the country “needs the departure of the President of the Republic and an early presidential election.”

Macron dissolved the National Assembly in June 2024 after the far-right National Rally led the European elections, resulting in a fragmented legislature with no stable governing coalition. Since then, the government has struggled to pass major legislation, relying heavily on cross-party negotiations.

The 2026 budget has become the latest focal point in the institutional standoff, with opposition parties across the spectrum pledging to resist revenue measures they argue lack credibility and fairness.

As the government prepares to send the bill to the Senate later this week, the threat of a censure motion -- which, if adopted, would force the entire Cabinet to resign -- adds further uncertainty to France’s already volatile political landscape.