Name: Should drinking be covered by the parliamentary allowance?
Uploaded: 2025-11-08T12:01:30.343Z
Duration: 1 min 37 s
Description: Is the tradition of French lawmakers sipping wine at the Assemblée Nationale nearing its end? A new report recommends banning alcohol sales at the Palais Bourbon bar as part of a review of public spending for the 2026 budget.

Is the tradition of French lawmakers sipping wine at the Assemblée Nationale nearing its end? A new report recommends banning alcohol sales at the Palais Bourbon bar as part of a review of public spending for the 2026 budget.

Paris

Members of the French National Assembly are able to purchase alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, and whiskey at the parliamentary cafeteria, with the option to use their monthly parliamentary allowance to cover these expenses. While some MPs accept the practice for special events, others question the appropriateness of using public funds for regular alcohol consumption at work.

Alcohol sales at the Assembly cafeteria exceeded 100,000 euros last year, averaging about 20 euros per MP per month. A report by Emmanuel Duplessis recommends ending alcohol sales at the cafeteria, but the Assembly's management remains unconvinced. The issue is scheduled for debate at the National Assembly.

Should drinking be covered by the parliamentary allowance?

This is the cafeteria at the French National Assembly. Members of Parliament eat and even drink here on their breaks, consuming wine, beer and whiskey, among other alcohol. A glass of red wine typically costs between five to eight euros. To pay for their alcohol consumption, MPs can use their Parliamentary Allowance, 6,353 euros a month, to cover expenses such as office space, water and electricity, as well as meals and drinks. But not all are in favor of using this allowance to pay for alcohol at their workplace. There is some tolerance for events organized in the constituency, ceremonies for example. If there's a buffet with alcohol, why not? But the fact that daily and regular consumption can be eligible for Parliamentary Allowance raises questions for me. Alcohol sales at the cafeteria last year amounted to over 100,000 euros. That's approximately 20 euros per month for each MP. Some say there are other priorities besides reviewing parliamentary expenses. I think we as MPs should be focusing on other issues. I think we're very far removed from the concerns of the French people. In his report, Emmanuel Duplessis also states the need for Parliament to lead by example, recommending the halt of alcohol sales altogether at the cafeteria. The office responsible for managing the National Assembly remains unconvinced. A bar isn't just a place to drink, it's a place to eat. I don't see why we can't have a glass of wine at the table as we would in a restaurant. The issue is set to be debated next Wednesday at the National Assembly.

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