France, Nov. 5 -- In a rare display of cross-party unity on Wednesday, 458 MPs voted against the revenue section of the budget, with none in favour and two abstentions.

The rejection - mirroring last year's budget deadlock - effectively ended the Assembly's first reading, preventing MPs from debating the spending provisions, which had already been rejected in committee.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's office said negotiations would resume in December, after the Senate had examined the government's original proposals.

"The time for compromise will come after the Senate's reading," his office said, indicating that any agreement would be based on the government's initial draft and the version adopted by senators.

France faces record &...