How is the public reacting to the budget measures

Introduction

The public reaction to France’s 2025 budget measures has been marked by widespread protests and sector-specific backlash, particularly targeting austerity’s impact on cultural funding, social services, and democratic processes. Here’s a breakdown:

Cultural Sector Protests

“Debout pour la culture” (Stand Up for Culture): Over 40,000 people, including high-profile figures like Juliette Binoche and rapper JoeyStarr, signed a petition condemning €410 million in cuts to cultural funding. Protests erupted nationwide, with activists occupying venues like Lyon’s Théâtre des Célestins.

Criticism

The petition argues cuts threaten 20,000 jobs and reduce access to culture, especially in rural areas. Critics warn sacrificing culture for austerity is a “dangerous calculation” for democracy.

Youth Impact

The Culture Pass—a Macron-era initiative granting students credits for cultural activities—faces reductions, limiting access for disadvantaged youth.

Labor and Pensioner Discontent

Delayed Pension Adjustment

A six-month delay in inflation-linked pension increases (saving €3.6 billion) has drawn ire from retirees fearing eroded purchasing power.

Public-Sector Job Cuts

Plans to eliminate 2,200 education jobs amid falling enrollment have sparked union warnings about deteriorating school services.

Broader Public Distrust

Constitutional Shortcuts

Prime Minister Bayrou’s use of Article 49.3 to bypass parliamentary votes amplified perceptions of undemocratic governance. Jean-Luc Mélenchon (La France Insoumise) accused the government of imposing “technical unemployment” through fiscal strangulation.

Fiscal Pessimism

Economists criticize the budget’s reliance on overly optimistic growth forecasts (0.9% GDP growth for 2025), with Goldman Sachs downgrading projections to 0.7% due to political instability.

Political Fragmentation

While the far-right National Rally and left-wing coalition oppose the budget, their failure to unite ensured Bayrou’s survival. The Socialist Party’s abstention from no-confidence votes reflects a fractured opposition prioritizing stability over policy objections.

Regional and Environmental Concerns

Green Subsidy Cuts

Reductions to home insulation and electric vehicle incentives (€1.9 billion) clash with France’s climate goals, drawing environmentalist criticism.

Regional Inequality

Cuts to local cultural and social services risk widening disparities between urban and rural areas.

Market and Institutional Reactions

The EU endorsed the deficit-reduction plan, but bond markets remain wary. France’s 10-year borrowing costs briefly exceeded Spain’s in late 2024, reflecting investor skepticism.

Conclusion

The public anger centers on austerity’s unequal burden, democratic erosion, and broken promises on social equity. While protests have coalesced around cultural cuts, broader discontent simmers over fiscal priorities and governance legitimacy.