French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly on Thursday. The motions received 271 and 144 votes in favor, respectively, falling short of the 289 votes required.

European Conservative

National Assembly of France

Le Monde.fr

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly on Thursday. The motions received 271 and 144 votes in favor, respectively, falling short of the 289 votes required.

The Socialist Party refused to support the motion tabled by France Unbowed after Lecornu <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/france-pm-lecornu-suspends-pension-reform-faces-noconfidence">promised to suspend pension reform</a> until after the presidential election, though seven Socialist deputies voted against their party's instructions and supported the censure motion.

Le Figaro

EuroNews

L'Humanite

The Socialist Party refused to support the motion tabled by France Unbowed after Lecornu promised to suspend pension reform until after the presidential election, though seven Socialist deputies voted against their party's instructions and supported the censure motion.

Marine Le Pen's National Rally motion received only 144 votes as parliamentarians, including the New Popular Front, did not take part in the vote. Le Pen accused lawmakers of granting Lecornu a reprieve out of fear of the prospect of national elections.

Brussels Signal

Marine Le Pen's National Rally motion received only 144 votes as parliamentarians, including the New Popular Front, did not take part in the vote. Le Pen accused lawmakers of granting Lecornu a reprieve out of fear of the prospect of national elections.

Lecornu's concession involved suspending Macron's 2023 pension reform that would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, with the suspension coming as an amendment to the social security budget rather than through new legislation.

Lecornu's concession involved suspending Macron's 2023 pension reform that would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, with the suspension coming as an amendment to the social security budget rather than through new legislation.

The Prime Minister also pledged not to invoke Article 49.3 of the Constitution to bypass parliamentary votes on the 2026 budget, a tool used by former French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/bayrou-survives-noconfidence-vote-budget-plan-passes">to pass the 2025 budget.</a>

The Prime Minister also pledged not to invoke Article 49.3 of the Constitution to bypass parliamentary votes on the 2026 budget, a tool used by former French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou to pass the 2025 budget.

Lecornu's 2026 budget seeks to reduce the national deficit from 5.4% to 4.7%, though the prime minister has accepted potential concessions on the deficit up to 5%. Lecornu had initially resigned as prime minister earlier this month, before being reappointed by President Emmanuel Macron less than a week later.

Government of France

Elysee.Fr

Lecornu's 2026 budget seeks to reduce the national deficit from 5.4% to 4.7%, though the prime minister has accepted potential concessions on the deficit up to 5%. Lecornu had initially resigned as prime minister earlier this month, before being reappointed by President Emmanuel Macron less than a week later.

Lecornu's survival proves that compromise and dialogue can overcome political fragmentation. By swallowing their pride and shelving one of Macron's flagship policies for the sake of the country, the Lecornu government has shown pragmatic flexibility, all while maintaining fiscal responsibility within a deficit-reducing budget.

Lecornu's survival proves that compromise and dialogue can overcome political fragmentation. By swallowing their pride and shelving one of Macron's flagship policies for the sake of the country, the Lecornu government has shown pragmatic flexibility, all while maintaining fiscal responsibility within a deficit-reducing budget.

Politico

Macron saves his government (for now) by suspending pension reform

Eric Lombard

Eric_R_Lombard

Pro-government narrative

This government survives only through backroom deals that betray voters and democratic legitimacy. Lecornu and Macron's temporary agreement with the Socialists is by no means a long-term solution, but merely a short-term attempt to hold onto power. The French public remains insistent that radical change, not piecemeal policy, is the only way forward for the country.

This government survives only through backroom deals that betray voters and democratic legitimacy. Lecornu and Macron's temporary agreement with the Socialists is by no means a long-term solution, but merely a short-term attempt to hold onto power. The French public remains insistent that radical change, not piecemeal policy, is the only way forward for the country.

Lecornus Government SurvivesBut France Remains Stuck

La France Insoumise à l'Assemblée nationale

FranceInsoumise

Opposition narrative

There is a 7% chance that, before June 2027, a top-level French official will publicly state that France will adopt a Sixth Republic, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 7% chance that, before June 2027, a top-level French official will publicly state that France will adopt a Sixth Republic, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

France: PM Lecornu Survives No-Confidence Votes

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

Opposition narrative

Metaculus Prediction

Public Figures

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

France: PM Lecornu Survives No-Confidence Votes

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

Opposition narrative

Metaculus Prediction

Public Figures

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters