French Government Survives No-Confidence Votes Amid EU-Mercosur Deal and Budget Challenges

The French government, led by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, survived two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly triggered by opposition to the EU-Mercosur trade deal with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The motions, supported mainly by the far-left LFI and far-right RN parties, failed due to lack of backing from the Socialist Party and conservatives. Lecornu warned that these votes delayed crucial debates on the 2026 budget, with the government considering invoking Article 49.3 to pass the finance bill without a vote, potentially prompting further no-confidence motions.