Macron’s Budget Win Pushes France Toward Campaign Mode

After finalizing the 2026 budget, Emmanuel Macron enters a lame-duck phase as France shifts from policy work to campaigning for municipal elections and the 2027 presidential race, with the budget win easing immediate concerns but raising questions about governance and a potential far-right challenge; Prime Minister Lecornu will steer toward non-controversial reforms and set the stage for 2027 fiscal plans, even as internal rivalries and political appetites threaten future stability.