France Faces Political Turmoil Amid Pension Reform Crisis and Pending New Prime Minister

France is amid a deep political crisis as President Emmanuel Macron prepares to appoint a new Prime Minister by Friday evening, following the resignation of Sébastien Lecornu. The government faces intense debate over the controversial pension reform, which has polarized political parties and unions across the spectrum.

Former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has suggested a compromise that might involve suspending the pension reform to ease tensions before the 2027 presidential elections, but she opposes a full repeal. Meanwhile, the head of the Medef, Patrick Martin, firmly opposes any suspension, warning it would harm economic activity and increase national debt. The Medef also emphasizes that stopping the reform could cost billions and negatively impact purchasing power.

The CFDT union, represented by Marylise Léon, advocates reopening the debate to move toward a points-based pension system, which she describes as fairer and more democratic, while cautioning against suspending reforms without addressing long-term consequences. Eric Weil, a former government advisor, argues that many politicians misunderstand the reform’s implications, noting it features redistributive benefits and protections for vulnerable groups.

Political dynamics signal potential shifts with left-wing parties calling for a leftist Prime Minister and a coalition government to bring stability. Agnès Pannier-Runacher hinted openness to cooperation with the left, while Socialist leader Carole Delga demanded a change in political direction. Ex-President François Hollande urged that the next Prime Minister should come from outside the centrist bloc and focus on budget issues. Meanwhile, Philippe Juvin of the Republicans indicated readiness to join a new government under certain budget conditions.

Emmanuel Macron’s popularity has hit a historic low of 14%, reflecting the country’s political unrest, while Lecornu’s approval has risen to 28% amid his handling of the crisis. Lecornu decisively ruled out dissolving the National Assembly, emphasizing that the government must pursue pension reform and budgetary stability rather than opting for drastic political resets.

As France awaits Macron’s choice for Prime Minister, political negotiations continue intensely to find a path through pension reform challenges and national economic concerns, underscoring the gravity of the crisis and the nation's urgency for compromise and governance stability.