French lawmakers are set to vote on a proposed wealth tax on Saturday, following a threat from a key swing group to topple the government if the measure is not included in next year’s austerity budget. The country is under pressure to pass a spending bill by the end of the year to rein in its deficit and soaring debt, but efforts have been hindered by a lingering political crisis.

The current Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, has vowed to push through the necessary legislation, after his two predecessors were ousted by the legislature over cost-cutting measures. Lecornu recently survived a confidence vote by agreeing to suspend a deeply unpopular pensions reform, which had been met with resistance from the left-wing Socialists.

However, the Socialists have also been pushing for a tax on the wealthiest individuals, and have threatened to bring down the government as early as Monday if their demands are not met. The proposed tax, named after French economist Gabriel Zucman, aims to raise around 20 billion euros per year from just 1,800 wealthy households, by imposing a minimum tax of two percent on assets worth at least 100 million euros.

The government has expressed opposition to taxing professional assets, and instead proposes to tax wealth management holdings with at least five million euros in assets. In a bid to find a compromise, the Socialists have suggested a minimum three-percent tax on assets of 10 million euros and above, while exempting family and “innovative” businesses.

The proposal is set to be debated in parliament on Saturday, with economist Gabriel Zucman warning against any compromise that could create loopholes and opportunities for evasion. France has been mired in political deadlock since President Emmanuel Macron called for snap parliamentary elections last year, resulting in a divided parliament and a loss of majority for his centrist bloc.

The introduction of a wealth tax is seen as a crucial step towards addressing France’s deficit and debt issues, and the outcome of the vote will be closely watched. The government’s ability to pass the spending bill and implement the necessary reforms will have significant implications for the country’s economic stability and growth prospects.