Paris: French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has outlined an ambitious policy roadmap centred on energy independence, defense strengthening, and administrative reform, seeking to restore momentum after months of political turbulence surrounding the country’s 2026 budget. The agenda comes in the wake of a bruising fiscal standoff that delayed budget approval and triggered leadership changes before a final compromise was reached.
Speaking after the budget’s passage, Lecornu said the government is now turning its attention to long-term structural priorities, with energy policy at the top of the list. A long-delayed multi-year national energy plan is expected to be finalized shortly through a government decree. The strategy aims to reinforce France’s energy sovereignty while accelerating the transition to low-carbon power.
At the heart of the plan is a renewed commitment to nuclear energy. State-owned utility EDF is set to begin work on six new nuclear reactors, with provisions allowing for up to eight additional units in the future. Alongside nuclear expansion, the government plans to boost investment in renewable sources such as offshore wind, solar power, and geothermal energy. Lecornu said the objective is to significantly increase electrification, with electricity expected to account for around 60 per cent of France’s total energy consumption by 2030.
Defense policy forms the second major pillar of the Prime Minister’s agenda. Lecornu confirmed that France’s defense budget will rise to €57 billion this year, reflecting a near doubling of military spending over the past decade. The increase is intended to modernize the armed forces and respond to growing global and regional security challenges. He added that updates to the country’s military programming law are expected to be completed by Bastille Day on July 14, setting the framework for defense investments in the coming years.
Beyond energy and defense, the Prime Minister also signaled a push to streamline governance and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. A bill containing around 50 measures aimed at simplifying administrative procedures is expected to be presented to parliament ahead of local elections scheduled for March. The reforms are designed to shift certain responsibilities from central government to local authorities, making public services more efficient and responsive at the regional level.
On social policy, Lecornu addressed the future of State Medical Aid, a healthcare programme for undocumented migrants that has sparked heated political debate. While reaffirming the government’s intention to maintain the scheme, he announced tighter controls to curb fraud and improve oversight. Planned reforms, including investments in upgraded digital systems, are estimated to cost about €180 million.
The Prime Minister’s announcements come after one of the most contentious budget cycles in recent French history. Negotiations over the 2026 budget dragged on for nearly five months and resulted in the resignation of two prime ministers before Lecornu’s government secured approval. The final budget aims to reduce the public deficit to around five per cent of gross domestic product without introducing new taxes.
Although Lecornu has publicly dismissed speculation about presidential ambitions ahead of the 2027 election, his handling of the budget crisis and subsequent policy direction has placed him firmly at the centre of French politics. His post-budget agenda signals an effort to combine fiscal discipline with long-term investment in sectors seen as critical to France’s economic resilience and strategic autonomy in the years ahead.