The French parliament has made a significant move by voting to suspend President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reform, marking a setback for his pro-business agenda. This decision is part of ongoing negotiations in the National Assembly, where members are currently deliberating on a compromise budget for the year 2026.
The suspension was a pivotal concession by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s administration to the centre-left Socialist party, which had indicated that the suspension of the pension reform was necessary for its abstention during recent confidence votes. Earlier reforms had aimed to gradually raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, a move that met substantial resistance from opposition parties and labor unions alike.
The newly passed measure halts any increases in the pension age until January 2028, effectively maintaining the current threshold at 62 years and nine months. This shift opens the door for future presidential candidates in the 2027 elections to propose new reforms, a continued suspension, or even the complete abolition of the changes initially established by former premier Élisabeth Borne. If no action is taken, the retirement age will continue to rise as planned starting January 2028.
In addition to suspending the pension reform, the government has also introduced an amendment that allows for early retirement for those who began working at a younger age, as well as for workers in demanding public sector roles, such as police officers and firefighters.
When the proposal to suspend the reform was first put forth, Lecornu estimated it would cost the state approximately €400 million in 2026 and €1.8 billion in 2027. The additional changes related to early retirement would cost an extra €200 million in 2026 and €500 million in 2027.
The measure passed with a vote of 255 in favor and 146 against, garnering support from the far-right Rassemblement National, the Socialists, and the Greens. However, the centre-right Horizons party, led by former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, voted against the bill, and other centrist deputies opted to abstain, indicating fractures within Macron’s coalition.
As Olivier Faure, leader of the Socialists, remarked, “A Macronist totem has fallen, and the debate over our pension system will be at the heart of the next presidential election.” He emphasized that the future of the pension system will lie in the hands of the French electorate come 2027.
Marine Le Pen of the Rassemblement National reiterated her party’s longstanding opposition to the pension reform, asserting her support for its suspension ahead of the vote.
Amid these developments, the government is also engaged in negotiations for the annual social security bill, which must be completed promptly for Senate examination. The broader discussion surrounding the 2026 budget continues, with numerous amendments still pending. However, the ongoing chaos has cast doubt on the feasibility of passing the budget through both the National Assembly and the Senate by the end of the year.
