Overview

• Lawmakers rejected censure motions from France Unbowed and the National Rally by 271 and 144 votes respectively, short of the 289 needed to fell the week‑old government.
• Lecornu secured crucial breathing room by promising to suspend the 2023 law raising the retirement age to 64 until after the 2027 presidential election, prompting Socialist leaders to withhold support for the censure.
• The government estimates the suspension will cost €400 million in 2026 and €1.8 billion in 2027, with offsets to be found during budget talks that Socialists warn do not constitute a long‑term pact.
• Budget negotiations now open on a deficit‑cutting 2026 plan targeting 4.7% of GDP as public debt sits near 114% of GDP, with unions already calling protests for November 6.
• Lecornu says he will table a November amendment to pause the pension reform and will avoid using Article 49.3 for the budget, as opponents vow further challenges and Macron keeps dissolution of the Assembly on the table if a future censure passes.