French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has told parliament he backs suspending controversial 2023 pension reforms, in the face of crucial votes of no-confidence later this week.
The changes, which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64, were seen as signature reforms in Emmanuel Macron's presidency.
This autumn I will propose to parliament that we suspend the 2023 pension reform until the [2027] presidential election, Lecornu said to applause from left-wing parties.
Lecornu was reappointed prime minister last week only four days after he resigned, and needs the support of Socialist MPs in parliament if his government is to survive.
Opposition parties on the far right and far left have called confidence votes, known as censure votes on Lecornu's government, for Thursday morning and are demanding parliamentary elections.
The Socialists said they would be prepared to support the new government, but only if it promises a complete suspension of Macron's pension changes.
Last week, Lecornu said it was something many French people remembered as a wound on democracy.
This move comes as France's public debt stands at €3.4 trillion, with a budget deficit approaching 5.4% of GDP. If the pension reform is suspended, it would cost €400 million in 2026 and €1.8 billion in 2027, requiring offsets through other savings.
Lecornu emphasized the need for a responsible budget and pledged to end the reliance on controversial constitutional mechanisms that have allowed reforms without parliamentary votes. He articulated a commitment to transparency in governance, encouraging debate and voting on budget proposals.
The proposal for suspension marks a significant shift, indicative of the government's attempt to stabilize its position in the face of rising political tension.
The support from the Socialist bloc may be crucial for Lecornu's administration to navigate through the current political landscape, especially given the fragmented nature of the parliament following recent elections.
