PARIS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The French National Assembly on Tuesday approved the 2026 social security budget bill, with 247 votes in favor and 234 against.
The social security budget comprises two main components: revenues and expenditures. On Dec. 5, lawmakers in the lower house adopted the taxation measures intended to finance welfare, health and pension spending. The expenditure section was examined from 4 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Tuesday and subsequently approved by the National Assembly.
The Assembly's endorsement marks only one step in the legislative process, as the text will now go to the Senate before coming back to the lower house for final adoption.
Social security represents more than 40 percent of France's overall public sector spending. The government aims to reduce the country's public sector budget deficit - already one of the largest in the eurozone - to 5 percent of GDP next year.
France's overall public sector budget for 2026 is scheduled for adoption by the National Assembly before Dec. 31.
Tuesday's bill passed by a narrow margin of 13 votes, underscoring deep divisions within the National Assembly and the government's fragile position, political analysts said. Since President Emmanuel Macron lost his parliamentary majority in a snap election last year, no political bloc has been able to advance legislation easily. Budget disputes have intensified, fueling political instability that has already brought down three governments. A disagreement over last year's budget led to the fall of Michel Barnier's cabinet in a no-confidence vote.
