Morning papers stayed on Lecornu's 2027 budget, with Lescure calling the delayed 5% deficit target ambitious but achievable and Tondelier denouncing a 54-billion unjust effort, as diesel hit a record 2.39 euros and ministers promised extended aid for heavy drivers and precarious workers.
Attention then moved to the Elysée, where Macron received party leaders on geopolitical deterioration and pump prices. Leaks from Bardella, Retailleau and Glucksmann preceded Macron's address blaming prices on wars and the Ormuz closure, warning of intensified Russian hybrid threats, ordering a critical-infrastructure protection plan and urging unity.
By evening front pages turned to Zinédine Zidane's first France squad, stressing surprises Lepaul, Jacquet and Da Cunha, Mbappé confirmed as captain and absences of Kanté and Digne.