French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on October 14 the renunciation of article 49.3 and the suspension of the retirement reform until 2027. This decision aims to ease tensions with the Socialist Party and avoid a motion of censure. It comes amid a political crisis marked by unstable governments since 2022.
France has been experiencing political instability since the June 2022 legislative elections, where Emmanuel Macron failed to secure an absolute majority in the National Assembly, with only 43% support from deputies. Elisabeth Borne had to govern by seeking case-by-case alliances, vulnerable to motions of censure. Following the defeat in the June 2024 European elections, Macron dissolved the Assembly, leading to snap legislative elections that strengthened the New Popular Front and the National Rally, further dividing parliament into three minority blocs.
Michel Barnier was toppled after three months. François Bayrou, appointed at the end of 2024, proposed on July 15, 2025, a savings plan of 44 billion euros for 2026, including the elimination of two public holidays. Weakened, he called for a confidence vote on September 8, rejected by 364 deputies, leading to his resignation.
Sébastien Lecornu, a Macron loyalist, was appointed on September 9. After unveiling a government on October 5 criticized for being too Macronist, he resigned, only to be reappointed on October 10. His new government, announced on October 12, relies on a minority coalition of 211 deputies (37%), including Renaissance, Horizons, MoDem, LR, and UDI.
On October 14, Lecornu extended an olive branch to the Socialist Party by renouncing article 49.3, used 26 times since 2022, and suspending the retirement reform – adopted in 2023 under Borne via 49.3, raising the age from 62 to 64 despite public opposition – until 2027. PS deputy Laurent Baumel assured his group would not vote for censure in the short term. These concessions aim to unblock the 2026 budget and avert a new dissolution or early election, amid disagreements on public finances and possible coalitions.