The French Senate opposed the suspension of the pension reform in the social security budget on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, with a vote of 190 against 108. This move signals disagreement with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s major concession to socialists. The National Assembly could reinstate the measure later, though it may hinder parliamentary compromises.
The Senate, dominated by the right, rejected delaying the so-called “Borne” reform to January 2028, which raises the legal retirement age to 64. This reform is included in the 2026 social security financing bill. The Senate’s opposition underscores tensions between the two parliamentary chambers on this budget.
Earlier that day, senators reinstated the freeze on retirement pensions for 2026, except for those below 1,400 euros, which will remain indexed to inflation. The National Assembly had previously removed this provision. The government issued a “sagesse” opinion on the measure—neither endorsing nor opposing it—while Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou supported it “in principle.”
The vote is not final: the budget will soon return to the National Assembly for review. The lack of compromise could impact the final adoption of the bill, amid strained budget negotiations between the majority and opposition.