Amid the political crisis in the country, Sébastien Lecornu needs to convince the socialist opposition not to unite with the left and far right in an attempt to censure the third prime minister in less than a year
The French president, warned this Tuesday (14) that he could call early legislative elections if Parliament overthrows the government, hours before a crucial speech by the Prime Minister, to deputies in the midst of a political crisis. This man of the president’s confidence needs to convince the socialist opposition not to join the rest of the left and far right opposition in their attempt to censure the third prime minister in less than a year.
“The motions of censure presented are motions to dissolve [o Parlamento] and they must be seen as such,” warned Macron during the first meeting of his new government, according to government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon. The key to Lecornu’s survival will depend on his general policy speech, scheduled for 3pm (10am Brasília), and whether he will give in to the demands of the socialist opposition over one of Macron’s key reforms.
“We clearly demand the immediate and complete suspension of the 2023 pension reform”, which Macron imposed by decree despite popular opposition, socialist leader Olivier Faure reiterated on Monday. The radical left and the extreme right have already presented motions of censure, which will be debated on Thursday. If Lecornu does not convince them, the socialists may decide to present another motion with a better chance of overthrowing the government.
“Danger”
The increase in the retirement age from 62 to 64 until 2030 and the increase to 43 years, from 2027, of the mandatory contribution period for a full pension have crystallized discontent with the center-right president’s policies since 2023. For the government, suspending the only major reform of Macron’s second term would cost at least 3 billion euros (19 billion reais) and divides the party in power. The left and the unions want its repeal.
The newly crowned Philippe Aghion, even called for an agreement on the suspension of pension reform to avoid the “danger” of Marine Le Pen’s far-right party, which leads the polls, coming to power. An early legislative election would not affect Macron at first. The president refuses to resign before the end of his term in 2027 and cannot run again.
The financial situation doesn’t help. The second largest economy in is under pressure to reduce its high public debt (115.8% of GDP) and bring the public deficit to less than 5% of GDP by 2026. Lecornu’s government presented a draft budget for 2026 this Tuesday, which foresees a fiscal effort of 30 billion euros (189 billion reais), largely due to the reduction in public spending, according to the Superior Council of Public Finances.
*With information from AFP
