The French parliament has failed to agree on next year's budget, but the law allows for a 'rollover budget', avoiding a US-style government shutdown - here's what that means. A joint committee failed to reach a compromise on France’s 2026 budget bill, meaning that there’s only half a budget in place for the start of the new year, after the social security budget bill passed in mid-December. But there are crucial differences this time around — not least the adoption of the social security bill. While this special law avoids a government shutdown - and therefore avoids the spectre of unpaid public sector workers and unfulfilled financial commitments - it is not a full budget law. Debates on a 2026 budget will resume when MPs and senators return from their Christmas holidays.

Source: The Local December 23, 2025 02:39 UTC