France Suspends 2023 Retirement Reform, Adopts New Measures Amid Political Uncertainty

On October 14, 2025, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the suspension of France's contentious 2023 retirement reform, marking a significant policy shift amid widespread political debate. This move was formalized through the 2026 social security financing law (PLFSS 2026), which encompasses multiple provisions relating to retirement. After intense parliamentary deliberations that expanded the law from an initial 54 articles to 114, the National Assembly adopted the legislation on December 16. The law notably halts the planned increase in retirement age and maintains the contribution period at 170 quarters until January 2028, affecting both private and public sector employees.

The Senate and National Assembly engaged in extensive negotiations over various provisions, including pension freezes and adjustments for long careers, leading to several amendments. The Council of Constitutional confirmed the legality of most articles, including those related to retirement, on December 30, with the final law published in the Official Journal on December 31, 2025.

Amid this major social policy shift, President Emmanuel Macron delivered a brief, ten-minute televised New Year's address on December 31 from the Salon des Ambassadeurs at the Palais de l'Élysée. Macron expressed empathy for public frustrations and the challenges facing those ensuring national continuity but notably avoided discussing his eight-year record or unveiling new initiatives. This reticence reflects an unprecedented period of political instability under the Fifth Republic, with government officials acknowledging Macron's eroding public image and signaling the eventual end of his political tenure.

This suspension and revision of the retirement reform underscore the government's response to public dissent and the complex political landscape heading into 2026. The adjustments aim to balance fiscal sustainability with social acceptance, while Macron’s conciliatory tone highlights a desire for consensus amid ongoing divisions.