In his general policy speech to the National Assembly on October 14, 2025, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the suspension of the pension reform until 2028, a concession to socialists to avert a censure motion. The Socialist Party confirmed it would not censure the government immediately, while right-wing voices voiced opposition. This move aims to stabilize the country and pass a budget by year's end.
On October 14, 2025, Sébastien Lecornu, reappointed Prime Minister just four days earlier, delivered his general policy speech to the National Assembly amid threats of two censure motions filed the previous day by La France insoumise (LFI) and the Rassemblement national (RN), to be debated Wednesday or Thursday.
In a 40-minute address, Lecornu announced the suspension of the 2023 pension reform passed under Élisabeth Borne: 'I will propose to Parliament, as early as this fall, that we suspend the 2023 pension reform until the presidential election; no age increase will occur from now until January 2028,' he stated, adding that the insurance duration would remain at 170 quarters. This measure, demanded by the Socialist Party (PS) as a condition for non-censure, will cost 400 million euros in 2026 and 1.8 billion in 2027, benefiting 3.5 million French people. It will be offset by savings and followed by a conference on pensions and work with social partners by spring 2026.
Lecornu also renounced Article 49.3 of the Constitution for adopting the 2026 budget, presented to the Council of Ministers that morning, targeting a deficit below 5% of GDP (versus 5.4% in 2025). He promised an exceptional contribution from great fortunes to fund sovereign investments and a new decentralization act in December, including a project for New Caledonia.
Reactions were sharp. PS leader Olivier Faure said he was 'happy for the 3.5 million people who can retire earlier' and confirmed: 'We will not censure.' Boris Vallaud, PS parliamentary leader, hailed a 'victory' while slamming the budget as 'unbearable.' On the right, Laurent Wauquiez (LR) pledged no censure to pass a budget, stating: 'We will not be among those who bring down prime ministers.' However, Bruno Retailleau (LR) lambasted a government 'hostage to socialists,' and François-Xavier Bellamy (LR) wrote in a tribune: 'If I were a deputy, I would vote for censure.' Christelle Morançais (Horizons) called the decision 'totally irresponsible' and said she would vote censure if a deputy.
LFI and ecologists will vote censure, with Mathilde Panot denouncing an 'authoritarian regime.' The RN, via Marine Le Pen, criticized a 'terribly bad' budget. Gabriel Attal (Renaissance) backed Lecornu: 'We will be by your side.' This concession delays dissolution but heightens right-wing divisions and uncertainty over budget passage.
