French government survives second no-confidence vote in Parliament over new energy law - vote tally

French government survives second no-confidence vote in Parliament over new energy law - vote tally

French Government Survives First No-Confidence Vote on Energy Law; Second Motion Looms

On February 25, 2026, France's minority government, led by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, survived the first of two no-confidence votes in parliament over its controversial energy law enacted via decree. The motion, spearheaded by the far-right National Rally (RN) party, garnered 140 votes but fell short of the 289 required to pass. The law, which scaled back renewable energy targets and reversed a mandate to shut down 14 nuclear reactors, has drawn criticism for bypassing parliamentary oversight and potentially increasing energy costs for households and businesses according to Reuters.

The government's survival of this vote underscores its precarious political position. Lecornu's administration, lacking a parliamentary majority, has already weathered two prior no-confidence attempts this year following the passage of a delayed budget. RN leader Marine Le Pen accused the government of prioritizing short-term stability over democratic processes, while Socialist Party lawmakers—key swing votes— chose to support the government to avoid destabilization.

According to reports, a second no-confidence motion, filed by the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, is expected imminently. This ongoing parliamentary struggle reflects broader tensions over France's energy strategy, which seeks to balance economic pressures with long-term energy security. The law's reliance on decrees to fast-track reforms has intensified scrutiny, with critics arguing it undermines legislative accountability.

For investors, the government's ability to navigate these challenges will remain critical. While the survival of the first vote preserves short-term stability, the looming second motion and potential future censure bids highlight persistent political fragility. Market reactions have been muted thus far, but prolonged uncertainty could impact policy implementation and investor confidence in France's economic governance.

(https://www.globalbankingandfinance.com/french-government-survives-first-two-no-confidence-votes/): GlobalBankingAndFinance, Marketscreener
(https://www.marketscreener.com/news/french-government-survives-first-of-two-no-confidence-votes-on-energy-law-ce7e5cd8d88ff023): Reuters, Marketscreener
(https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/far-right-files-no-confidence-motion-against-french-pm-over-new-energy-law-2026-02-23/): Reuters