The Lower House of the French Parliament approved the Social Security budget this Tuesday by a narrow majority, thus overcoming a major obstacle for the Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who seeks to finalize his 2026 spending plan before the end … of the year.
The National Assembly approved the measure, which includes the suspension of an unpopular pension reformby 247 votes for and 234 against. He will now return to the Senate before returning to the Lower House.
The result of the vote was celebrated by Lecornuwho thanked what he called a “responsible majority”.
France, the euro zone’s second-largest economy, is under pressure to reduce its budget deficit, but its efforts have been hampered by a fragmented parliament, the result of snap elections called last year by President Emmanuel Macron.
Version of bill approved by lawmakers includes suspension of 2023 pension reform to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. This was necessary to gain support from the Socialists, a key group in Parliament.
The Senate will vote on the other part – the state budget – on December 15.
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