The head of the Medef denounces a "suicidal" budget proposal

"We are waiting for the Senate to stop the infernal machine with a number of taxes and levies that were voted on in the National Assembly in total irresponsibility," the representative of the employers' association told the press on the sidelines of a visit to Saint-Etienne.

The Senate is waiting to take up the 2026 budget bill, which is still under review in the National Assembly.

If the upper house were to approve the deputies' copy, "it would mean a 53 billion increase in taxes for businesses. It's absurd, it's suicidal," Mr. Martin choked out, criticizing a project that "penalizes investors, shareholders and savers."

Denouncing once again the suspension of pension reform and the reduction of apprenticeship subsidies, he judged the draft budget to be "intellectually incoherent." "We are digging our own graves," he asserted.

On apprenticeships in particular, "it worries and shocks me (...) because we are talking about young people and (...) because we finally had a great French success story," continued Mr. Martin.

According to him, this system should be "preserved" "like a jewel, like a national treasure." On the contrary, "under the pretext of short-term budgetary savings, this magnificent French success is being called into question," he rebuked.

The draft state budget for 2026 may not be able to be put to a final vote before Christmas, due to a busy schedule and persistent disagreements.

The Senate, which is waiting to be able to take up the matter, notably acknowledged on Thursday that it will not be able to proceed with the formal vote on this budget before December 15.

The government stated on Thursday that it would introduce a special bill if parliamentarians failed to reach an agreement before December 31.