Particle.news
Download on the App Store
5 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

French Assembly Backs Social Security Budget, Freezing Macron’s Pension Reform

The 247–234 margin gives Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu brief respite before the bill faces a skeptical Senate.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu looks on at France's National Assembly as parliament members vote on a national health care budget that would suspend Macron's unpopular pension reform raising the retirement age, in Paris, France, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu looks on at France's National Assembly as parliament members vote on a national health care budget that would suspend Macron's unpopular pension reform raising the retirement age, in Paris, France, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Image
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, second right, listens to French Finance Minister Roland Lescure, left, at France's National Assembly as parliament members vote on a national health care budget that would suspend Macron's unpopular pension reform raising the retirement age, in Paris, France, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Overview

  • Lawmakers approved the social security bill that pauses the 2023 retirement-age increase to 64 until after the 2027 presidential election.
  • Support from the Socialists proved decisive after the government agreed to suspend the pension reform, while National Rally and France Unbowed opposed the measure.
  • The legislation must return to the conservative-led Senate, which objects to halting the reform, before potentially coming back to the National Assembly.
  • A separate state budget vote is due this month, with the Senate scheduled to examine the state budget on December 15.
  • Lecornu warned defeat would have opened roughly a €30 billion funding gap and threatened the 2026 spending plan, underscoring strain from a deficit last reported at about 5.8% of GDP.