Laurent Wauquiez rejects budget censure, proposes 20 billion euro savings plan

Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the Les Républicains (LR) group in the National Assembly, has announced that his party will not participate in a vote of censure against the government regarding the 2027 budget. Describing France as being “at the edge of a financial abyss,” Wauquiez stated that his group will not engage in “the little game of censure” or use the budget as a political weapon ahead of the presidential election.

However, the LR group is demanding an additional 20 billion euros in savings beyond the 43 billion euros already proposed by the government. Wauquiez’s alternative plan includes:

• Eliminating 50,000 civil service positions to save 3 billion euros. • Cutting 5 billion euros from regulatory agencies. • Limiting the RSA (social welfare) to two years for those capable of returning to work, estimated to save 7 billion euros.

Wauquiez also criticized the National Rally (RN) and the left for what he termed “irresponsible postures” and “censure blackmail.” He challenged the RN by asking if they are prepared to vote for the LR savings plan.