Discussions between the French government and a coalition of left-wing parties on the 2025 budget are showing signs of progress, potentially paving the way for a crucial agreement ahead of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou’s policy address next week, Bloomberg reports.
Olivier Faure, head of the Socialist Party, expressed optimism on Thursday, stating that talks were “moving forward.” This follows a series of meetings at the Finance Ministry on Wednesday involving the Socialist, Communist, and Green parties.
Bayrou’s government is engaged in intensive consultations with political parties, unions, and business groups in a bid to craft an urgently needed 2025 budget. The previous administration fell in December after a successful no-confidence vote. Support from the Socialists could provide Bayrou with the parliamentary backing necessary to avoid a similar fate, which resulted from the far-right National Rally party supporting a censure motion brought by the left-wing New Popular Front alliance.
Despite internal divisions, Faure indicated a willingness to find a compromise with the government.
However, the negotiations have exposed rifts within the New Popular Front. Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of France Unbowed, accused the Socialists and Greens of negotiating behind the alliance’s back. In a post on X, Melenchon called the talks “total disrespect for our alliance.” The New Popular Front includes France Unbowed, the Socialists, Greens, and Communists.
President Emmanuel Macron has previously attempted to form alliances with the Socialists and other left-wing factions without success. However, Faure noted a potential shift in the government’s position regarding a 2023 law that raised the minimum retirement age to 64. According to Faure, the government is no longer issuing an outright refusal to consider potential changes to the law.
“I understood one simple thing, namely that there’s no veto, which is already a change,” Faure said.
