French media continued to prioritize Prime Minister Bayrou's 2026 budget, with teachers and patients expressing "great concern" over proposed cuts. Public and union skepticism deepened throughout the day, as polls indicated widespread doubt regarding the government's fiscal management, particularly concerning impacts on retirees and the broader tax burden. Simultaneously, the escalating Syrian conflict remained a major focus, detailing Israeli strikes in Damascus to defend the Druze minority, leading to Syrian troop withdrawals from Souweïda and calls for intervention. A significant domestic development was the judicial order for Georges Ibrahim Abdallah's release after four decades of detention. International attention also centered on Israeli strikes hitting a Catholic church in Gaza, drawing condemnations from Italy and France. The Tour de France saw Tadej Pogacar secure the yellow jersey, and the funeral of TV personality Thierry Ardisson received extensive coverage. Emerging domestic stories included the Paris by-election and widespread wildfires across various regions.
