In response to rising tensions among departments, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier announced significant reductions in budget demands during the Départements de France conference in Angers. The government is open to adjustments on the €5 billion savings expected from local authorities, facing warnings from right-leaning departments about potential disruptions to essential welfare programs like the RSA. Departments report surging costs in social services and dwindling revenue, leading to calls for urgent budgetary reconsiderations. Barnier indicated the potential use of article 49.3 to pass the budget without a parliamentary vote, despite the associated risks.