France’s search for roughly €40 billion in savings for the 2026 budget moved into sharper focus after National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet said the government “cannot rule out” targeted tax increases. In an interview published 2 July, Braun-Pivet argued that closing the fiscal gap solely through spending cuts was unrealistic and would breach the government’s equity goals. Among the options she outlined are a one-year freeze on the indexation of income-tax and CSG brackets—an “année blanche” that could be extended beyond 2026 depending on inflation—as well as ending the 10 % tax allowance on pensions for wealthier retirees and aligning their highest CSG rate with that paid by employees. She also called for heavier taxation of so-called “super inheritances”, noting that 0.1 % of heirs receive more than €13 million while paying about 10 % in duties. Officials at the Finance Ministry are examining many of the same levers, including a temporary freeze of income-tax and CSG scales and deeper reviews of public-sector spending. A Senate report released 3 July adds pressure by recommending the abolition or consolidation of some of the state’s 1,500 agencies, a move it says could yield €540 million in annual savings. The government is due to present its budget guidelines in mid-July, and failure to convince lawmakers risks another parliamentary censure vote.