French Government Survives After Forcing Budget Through Parliament

France's government survived two no-confidence votes in parliament on Monday. The votes were triggered by the government's decision to force through a key part of its 2024 budget without a final parliamentary vote. This move, known as Article 49.3 of the constitution, allows a government to pass a law without a vote. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal called it a "last resort." He used it after a three-month political deadlock in the National Assembly. The failure of the no-confidence motions means the contested budget measures—primarily focused on income—will now become law. The government's survival avoids a snap election. The decision highlights the challenges of governing France without a clear parliamentary majority. The opposition has strongly criticized the tactic as undemocratic.