Motions of Censure Against Sébastien Lecornu’s Government Debated in National Assembly

Two motions of censure against the newly appointed government of Sébastien Lecornu were debated in the National Assembly on October 16, 2025. One was filed by La France insoumise (LFI) and the other by the Rassemblement National (RN). Despite spirited opposition from these parties, the movements faced significant challenges due to the lack of support from the Parti socialiste (PS), whose backing would have been critical to topple the government. The PS leadership, having secured concessions such as the suspension of the contentious pension reform, advocated against voting for censure, urging near-unanimity not to bring down the government. This position, however, was not unanimous within PS ranks, with some members expressing intentions to vote for censure, citing concerns over economic justice and the budget proposal.

The motions were debated in a joint session starting at 9 AM, lasting approximately two and a half hours, followed by votes expected to be close but likely falling short of the necessary 289 votes to topple the Lecornu government. The Greens, led by Marine Tondelier, committed almost unanimous support to the censure motions, criticizing the government for disregarding ecological issues and questioning the sufficiency of current government measures given the ongoing crisis. The LFI positioned themselves as the sole true opposition, challenging both the government and the RN, particularly condemning the pension reform's postponement as insufficient.

Observing the dynamics, there was talk of a few members from the Republicans and some independents potentially voting in favor of censure, adding uncertainty to the margins. The stakes were high, as a successful censure would have significant political ramifications, halting government business, while its failure would allow budget discussions to proceed. Although Lecornu's government escaped the motions this time, the debates laid bare the fractious political atmosphere and the challenges ahead for the administration.

Quotes from Marine Tondelier reflected the Greens' discontent: "We will vote for censure nearly unanimously, as the government fails to address ecological issues adequately," she said, also criticizing President Macron's obstructionism. PS member Paul Christophle voiced concern over fiscal justice and purchasing power, indicating his inclination towards censure. Meanwhile, LFI criticized the socialists for their "monumental error" in abstaining. This episode marks a pivotal parliamentary confrontation in France's political landscape on October 16, 2025.