Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu Announces Suspension of 2025 Pension Reform Until Presidential Election Amid Political Reactions
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announces the suspension of the 2025 pension reform until the presidential election, prompting varied political reactions across parties.
- • Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu suspends 2025 pension reform until presidential election.
- • Suspension will cost €400 million in 2026 and €1.8 billion in 2027, requiring budget adjustments.
- • Lecornu will not use Article 49.3, ensuring parliamentary debate.
- • Left parties warn against government bypassing parliament via ordinances on pension budget.
- • Les Républicains split with members leaving party affiliation; Retailleau opposes suspended reform and calls for Macron’s resignation.
Key details
On October 14, 2025, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu delivered his general policy statement to the National Assembly, announcing the suspension of the 2025 pension reform until the presidential election. This includes halting plans to raise the retirement age to 64 and to extend contribution periods. The suspension is projected to cost €400 million in 2026 and €1.8 billion in 2027, necessitating compensatory budget savings to avoid increasing the deficit. Lecornu emphasized that he will not invoke Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass this legislation, ensuring parliamentary debate takes place.
Following the announcement, left-wing politicians, particularly from La France Insoumise (LFI) and the Socialist Party, responded critically but also welcomed aspects of the suspension. Members of LFI cautioned against the government's use of ordinances to adopt the Social Security financing bill without parliamentary amendments, signaling concerns over democratic process. The Socialist Party demanded a complete suspension and threatened a motion of censure if their condition was not met.
Conversely, right-wing responses have been divided. Les Républicains (LR) members who joined Lecornu’s government have formally withdrawn their party affiliation. Party president Bruno Retailleau expressed opposition to joining any government that includes the suspension of the pension reform and has pushed for President Macron’s resignation after municipal elections in March 2026. Jean-François Copé, a veteran LR figure, also called for Macron’s early departure.
Besides pension policy, Lecornu outlined plans for a new wealth tax to finance future investments, institutional reforms for overseas territories, and a new decentralization act to empower local governance. These broader policy initiatives reflect efforts to address social and economic challenges while navigating a strained parliamentary landscape.
This suspension represents a significant political pivot for the government ahead of critical elections, highlighting ongoing tensions around fiscal policy, parliamentary sovereignty, and political alliances in France’s evolving political context.