The 2026 budget will be “a nightmare” to prepare, according to government spokesperson Sophie Primas who warns that “everyone will be used” to reduce the deficit by “5.4 to 4.6 % of GDP”.
“There will be a big conference on public finances in April which will associate everyone, because the Prime Minister absolutely wants today that this 2026 budget, which will be a nightmare as the financial difficulties are important, or divided,” Sophie Primas said on Wednesday, March 26, on Public Senate.
“Difficult situation”
“It is a very difficult budget. Putting the state deficit from 5.4 to 4.6 % of GDP, plus cope today with the new challenges which are challenges of rearmament and investment in our defense industry, these are difficulties that are added,” she said.
In early February, Bercy had estimated that the 2026 deficit would be revised up, compared to the 4.6 % transmitted to Brussels, while remaining under 5 %. To achieve this objective, “everyone will be used,” she warned, without going into the details of the savings or efforts envisaged. “What is important is that everyone realizes the difficult situation in which we are today,” she added.