French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu narrowly survived two no-confidence votes in parliament on Thursday, securing a fragile lifeline for his newly formed government.
The votes, initiated by the hard-left France Unbowed and far-right National Rally, highlighted the deep divisions in France’s National Assembly as Lecornu prepares for contentious 2026 budget negotiations.
Lecornu’s survival hinged on a significant concession: suspending President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform, which aimed to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030.
This move secured crucial support from the Socialist Party, though seven Socialist lawmakers defied party leadership to vote against the government.
The France Unbowed motion garnered 271 votes, falling 18 short of the 289 needed to topple the government, while the National Rally’s motion secured only 144 votes.
The concession weakens Macron’s domestic legacy, as the pension reform was a cornerstone of his economic agenda.
Lecornu now faces weeks of challenging budget talks to pass a 2026 fiscal plan proposing over 30 billion euros in savings to reduce France’s deficit from 5.4% to 4.7% of national output.
The Socialists, emboldened by their pension victory, are pushing for a billionaire tax, signaling further demands.
Yael Braun-Pivet, National Assembly president, emphasized the need for dialogue to secure a budget, stating the process is vital for France’s future.
However, opponents like France Unbowed’s Eric Coquerel called the government’s survival a temporary reprieve, predicting intense budget battles.
The French bond market remained stable, with investors anticipating the government’s victory.
France’s legislature, split into three ideological blocs — left, far-right, and center — remains a volatile battleground, with Lecornu’s government at risk of collapse if negotiations falter.