Mixed Political Reactions Follow Sébastien Lecornu's Renunciation of Article 49.3
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's abandonment of Article 49.3 elicited mixed reactions from French political parties, highlighting tensions over pension reform and parliamentary debate.
- • Prime Minister Lecornu announced he would not use Article 49.3 to pass legislation without a parliamentary vote.
- • Elisabeth Borne and the central bloc welcomed the decision as promoting dialogue and responsible governance.
- • Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure demands a parliamentary vote on pension reforms and assurances of full debate.
- • Left-wing LFI plans a motion of censure despite Lecornu's announcement, reflecting continued skepticism.
Key details
On October 3, 2025, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that the government would renounce the use of Article 49.3 of the Constitution, which allows the passage of legislation without a parliamentary vote. This decision marks a significant shift in the legislative approach just days before presenting his political program to the National Assembly.
Former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne praised Lecornu's move as a step toward fostering dialogue in Parliament, a departure from the extensive use of 49.3 in her tenure. The central political bloc welcomed the decision as a responsible path toward co-construction of legislation. However, reactions across the political spectrum remained divided.
Olivier Faure, leader of the Socialist Party, acknowledged the government's move as a "real evolution," but firmly called for a vote on the controversial pension reform in the Assembly. Faure emphasized that the Prime Minister has yet to guarantee that such a debate will be held, stressing the need for discussions on all topics without exclusions. He underscored that parliamentary democracy must be fully respected, even if it entails risks.
Environmentalist Marine Tondelier saw the announcement as a "small beginning of inflection," urging the government to follow through with concrete social and environmental measures. Contrastingly, Manuel Bompard of the left-wing party La France Insoumise maintained plans to submit a motion of censure, expressing skepticism about the sincerity of Lecornu's promise.
The right-leaning Republicans warned against the potential rise of populism should the dialogue fail, fearing that demagogues could influence future budgetary decisions. National Rally leader Marine Le Pen found the decision more respectful of democratic principles but remained cautious about its long-term impact.
Lecornu called for all parties to seek compromise without abandoning their convictions, signaling an openness to dialogue yet leaving key legislative outcomes uncertain. The coming days will test whether this renunciation of Article 49.3 will lead to meaningful parliamentary debate or persistent political tensions.