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French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu narrowly survived a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly on Thursday, sparing his fledgling government from collapse and averting an immediate political crisis. The outcome allows Lecornu to focus on the formidable task of passing France’s 2026 budget through a sharply divided lower house.

 

The embattled premier, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, faced twin no-confidence motions filed by Macron’s staunchest critics, the hard-left France Unbowed party and the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen. The first motion, tabled by France Unbowed, fell short with 271 votes in favour, against the 289 required for success. Le Pen’s motion is widely expected to fail as well, given that left-wing lawmakers are unlikely to support it.

 

Lecornu’s survival, however, is temporary. To secure crucial votes, he signalled the possibility of suspending Macron’s controversial pension reform, which raises the retirement age from 62 to 64. This concession persuaded some opposition members to withhold support for the no-confidence motions, for now.

Also read: Macron reinstates Sebastien Lecornu as French PM

 

The close ally of the French president faced two no-confidence motions filed by Macron's fiercest opponents, the hard-left France Unbowed party and Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally and her allies in Parliament.

 

Lecornu has pledged not to invoke the constitutional tool used to pass the 2023 pension reform without parliamentary approval, a measure that had triggered nationwide protests. Achieving consensus on tax increases, spending cuts, and deficit control for 2026 remains a steep challenge in a chamber marked by bitter divisions. Analysts warn that future no-confidence motions could be tabled if opposition lawmakers are dissatisfied with the budget outcomes.

 

France’s second-largest economy faces mounting fiscal pressure, with ballooning state debt and deficits compounding Lecornu’s political fragility. The next months will test whether compromise or confrontation will define his tenure.