The French National Assembly voted to suspend the 2023 pension reform until January 2028, passing the Social Security bill article by a wide majority.
Lawmakers decided to defer raising the legal withdrawal age from 62 to 64 until after the coming presidential election by a vote of 255 to 146.
There were 104 lawgivers who abstained.
La France Insoumise, the Republicans, and the maturity of Horizons suggested against the measure, which was explosively supported by the National Rally, the communists, and the maturity of Green lawmakers.
The majority of Renaissance deputies did not vote.
A planned freeze on retirement pensions and minimum social benefits, a cost-cutting measure contained in the draft Social Security budget, was also rejected by lawmakers, 308–99, according to the BFMTV broadcaster.
In response to a major demand from the opposition left and to help review from the Socialist Party, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu suggested on October 14 to halt the change until the coming presidential election, promising no increase in the withdrawal age before January 2028.
One of the longest strike swells in decades was sparked by the pension reform, which was enforced in 2023 under former high minister Elisabeth Borne and also supported by succeeding administrations. The legislation aimed to precipitously raise the withdrawal age from 62 to 64.
What are the political consequences for Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu?
Lecornu leads a government without a clear maturity in the
National Assembly. His administration depends heavily on the Socialist Party’s
support, which remains conservative and has hovered to undermine his government
if pledges are not fulfilled. This precarious balance risks no- confidence
votes and repeated political heads.
Lecornu made major concessions to gain Socialist backing, including suspending pension reform. He must now prove he can govern effectively, pass the 2026 budget, and navigate ongoing factional pressures to maintain support.However, Lecornu could be forced to abdicate, driving the possibility of snap choices that may profit revolutionist parties, If no- confidence movements succeed. This adds to political query and insecurity in France.
Lecornu’s fragile governance reflects broader challenges to Macron’s administration, pressing the limits of administrative power without administrative control amid a fractured political geography.