French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu appears likely to survive two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly after offering to suspend President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reform. The move, aimed at appeasing moderate lawmakers, comes just days after Lecornu’s reappointment and amid a deepening political crisis in France.
The Socialists, who hold the balance of power, welcomed Lecornu’s proposal and signaled they would abstain from supporting the no-confidence motions tabled by both the far-left and the far-right. Lecornu’s decision to delay the pension reform until after the 2027 presidential election has eased tensions but has also cast uncertainty over one of Macron’s flagship economic initiatives.
Despite the concession, the outcome remains tight, with potential defections from the Socialist and conservative Republican ranks still possible. Lecornu emphasized that the reform’s suspension would be formalized through an amendment to the social security financing law in November.
The standoff highlights France’s ongoing struggle with political instability and fiscal challenges, as Macron’s government works to balance public finances while navigating a fragmented parliament divided among three ideological blocs