France Insoumise Signals New Motion of Censure Amid Pension Reform and Budget Struggles

France Insoumise, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, has announced plans to submit a new motion of censure against the government of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu in early December 2025. Manuel Bompard, the party's coordinator, revealed this strategy amid ongoing tensions surrounding the budget votes, particularly the Social Security financing bill (PLFSS), which is tied to the controversial pension reform suspension.

The previous motion of censure in mid-October narrowly failed by 18 votes, largely due to insufficient support from the Socialist Party (PS). Bompard emphasized that the party will only proceed with the new motion once confident it can secure enough backing, potentially during the PLFSS vote scheduled around discussions on pension reform suspension. One of the pivotal elements debated is the government's plan to make 12 to 15 billion euros in savings from the Social Security budget, which France Insoumise staunchly opposes, demanding full repeal of the pension reform. Bompard asserted his group will reject the budget as "there is nothing to expect from the current government."

Parallel to these developments, the National Assembly is set to examine the suspension of the 2023 pension reform on November 12. Macronist deputies are grappling with the political fallout, experiencing phases of denial and uncertainty. Due to protracted debates on the Social Security budget, the government has pledged to forward the bill with all adopted amendments to the Senate if the expenditure section is incomplete. Meanwhile, deputies from the Renaissance group are convening to consolidate their stance on Lecornu's concessions aimed at preventing a censure led by the Socialists.

This complex political interplay highlights the friction within the French parliament as pension reform remains a flashpoint. France Insoumise's confident posture on mounting pressure against the government underscores the challenge Lecornu faces in navigating budgetary constraints, party divisions, and public opposition to pension changes.