Russian military threat, special law to pass the budget, … Informed on the morning of Friday November 21, 2025

Every day, those in the know debate the news around Hadrien Bect and Renaud Dély.

The themes:

Are we ready to lose our children in war?

This is the question asked by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Fabien Mandon, during a speech delivered on Wednesday November 19 to the mayors of France meeting in Congress. According to him, Russia is preparing “for 2030” to a “confrontation” with Europe. So that Europeans are “mentally ready”he called on mayors to “raise awareness among the French”in order to “promote a start”. This release caused an uproar. All the oppositions, from La France insoumise to the National Rally, denounced a speech “go to war” And “indecent”. The Minister of the Armed Forces, Catherine Vautrin, was almost the only one to defend the general, judging that he was in his role and that his remarks had been exploited. Why such an exit from General Mandon? Is it effective or counterproductive? Is French society ready to hear such alarmist comments?

Budget: towards a special law, lack of majority?

MPs will have to complete the examination of the revenue part of the budget on Sunday evening. With hundreds of amendments still to be examined, it is not certain that they will be able to vote on this text and if there is a vote, we do not see a majority emerging. Not only will most of the oppositions, starting with La France insoumise and the National Rally, vote against, but most of the forces of what was recently called the common base, that is to say the Macronists and the right, should not vote for this part of the budget either. Then, the parliamentary shuttle will follow its course, but what will happen if there is no budget by December 31? The Minister of Relations with Parliament Laurent Panifous mentioned it on Thursday November 20 during a meeting in the Senate: the government should resort to a special law, as was the case last year after the fall of the Barnier government.

The speakers:

Valérie Gas, head of RFI’s political department

Jean-Jérôme Bertolus, political columnist at franceinfoTV