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In a landmark decision that could alter the trajectory of European finance, France’s National Assembly has passed a resolution rejecting the European Central Bank’s (ECB) plan for a digital euro, instead voicing strong support for Bitcoin and euro-based stablecoins.
The initiative, introduced on October 22, 2025 by Éric Ciotti and fellow members of the Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR), urges the French government to refuse the European Commission’s proposal for a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Lawmakers argue that a digital euro would erode personal privacy and transfer excessive control to central authorities.
“A Stand for Financial Freedom”
The resolution, titled “Proposal for a European Resolution Calling for Support for the Transformation of the Monetary System,” warns that centralized digital currencies could give governments the power to monitor or even freeze citizens’ funds—threatening individual liberty.
Éric Ciotti described the vote as “a step toward defending fundamental rights and ensuring France’s monetary independence in the digital age.”
The document draws parallels between the ECB’s digital euro initiative and China’s digital yuan, cautioning that such systems risk turning financial networks into tools of surveillance.
Why Lawmakers Oppose the Digital Euro
The ECB began its preparation phase for the digital euro in November 2023, expecting to conclude it by late 2025 and potentially launch the currency around 2029. However, French lawmakers fear that direct digital accounts with the ECB could trigger mass withdrawals from private banks — a potential “bank run” — consolidating financial power in one institution.
The resolution argues:
“Such concentration of authority contradicts the principles of economic freedom. The ECB’s role is not to become a commercial bank.”
France’s Pro-Bitcoin and Stablecoin Strategy
Instead of backing the digital euro, France’s lawmakers are proposing a pro-crypto national strategy focused on three pillars:
