Paris prosecutor launches probe after prime minister reports budget 2027 leaks

On Tuesday, the Paris prosecutor's office confirmed it had launched a preliminary inquiry into possible breaches of professional secrecy linked to recent publications about the upcoming 2027 budget. The investigation was triggered by a complaint from Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who said two articles had cited confidential working documents concerning the finance law. The case has been handed to the Brigade de répression de la délinquance contre les personnes (BRDP) for further examination.

In a statement, the government warned that individuals responsible for the leaks expose the state to disloyalty and illegality and could face criminal charges, emphasizing that the complaint does not target the press itself. The Syndicat national des journalistes (SNJ) criticized the move, arguing it threatens source protection, a constitutional principle essential to journalism. The probe highlights the tension between safeguarding fiscal policy confidentiality and preserving press freedom in France.