World
Budget: Lecornu pushes for structural reforms before 2027 despite 'severe' deficit
In an interview published July 22, 2026 in Paris Match, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced plans to pursue 'structural reforms, even modest ones' in the upcoming budget without waiting for the 2027 presidential election. He describes France's debt and deficit levels as 'concerning, even severe' and expresses pessimism about meeting the 5% GDP deficit target for 2026. His proposals include revising pharmaceutical reimbursement rates, introducing digital spending incentives between ministries, and making climate adaptation a priority in territorial funding. Environment Minister Monique Barbut may leave the government over a pesticide policy disagreement.