French PM Sébastien Lecornu Survives No-Confidence Vote After Pension Reform Suspension

French PM Lecornu Survives Initial No-Confidence Vote After Pension Concessions

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has survived a crucial no-confidence vote in the National Assembly after announcing the suspension of President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reforms.

The motion, filed by left-wing parties, received 271 votes, falling short of the 289 required to pass. Lecornu’s decision to temporarily suspend the plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 persuaded some Socialist and left-wing lawmakers to withdraw their support for the motion — a move that proved pivotal for his government’s survival.

Following the announcement, the Socialist Party declared it would no longer back any no-confidence motions from either left- or right-wing groups. The Prime Minister’s strategy successfully prevented the immediate collapse of the government.

However, the crisis is not over. The right-wing National Rally (RN) has also filed a separate no-confidence motion, with voting expected in the coming days. Lecornu continues to face political pressure from multiple sides, as opposition parties challenge his ability to maintain stability in Parliament.

Amid this political tension, Lecornu has also introduced new 2026 budget proposals, which include tax increases on large corporations and wealthy individuals. These measures aim to raise additional state revenue but have already drawn concern from business groups.

Analysts say Lecornu’s suspension of pension reforms helped him avert an immediate political crisis, but his government remains under scrutiny as it balances fiscal reforms, parliamentary divisions, and public discontent in the months ahead.