French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu Survives Double No-Confidence Challenge

Government Stability Maintained After Close Votes

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu successfully navigated two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly on Thursday, October 16, 2025, allowing his government to remain in power. The votes, which could have toppled his fragile administration, underscore the deep political divisions within France's parliament. Lecornu's survival spares President Emmanuel Macron from the immediate need to dissolve the National Assembly and call for snap legislative elections, a measure he previously undertook in 2024.

Details of the No-Confidence Motions

The first motion was brought forward by the hard-left France Unbowed (La France Insoumise) party. This vote saw 271 lawmakers support the motion, falling short by just 18 votes of the 289 required for an absolute majority in the 577-seat chamber. A second no-confidence motion, tabled by Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally and its allies, garnered significantly fewer votes, with only 144 lawmakers in favor.

Key Concession on Pension Reform

Lecornu's ability to survive these challenges was significantly aided by a strategic concession regarding the controversial 2023 pension reform, which aimed to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. To secure crucial support, Lecornu 'dangled the possibility of rolling back' or 'suspending' this unpopular reform. This move was instrumental in convincing the opposition Socialist Party leadership to largely withhold their backing from the no-confidence efforts, despite some individual Socialist lawmakers breaking ranks.

Challenges Ahead: The 2026 Budget

With the immediate threat of collapse averted, Prime Minister Lecornu's primary focus now shifts to the arduous task of passing the 2026 budget for the European Union's second-largest economy through a deeply divided Parliament before the end of the year. Lecornu has pledged not to invoke Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, a special power that allows the government to push through legislation without a parliamentary vote, a tool previously used for the 2023 pension reform. This commitment signals an intent to build consensus, though budget negotiations are anticipated to be fractious. The Socialist leader, Olivier Faure, has warned that his party could still support future no-confidence motions if the government fails to honor its commitments, particularly concerning the pension reform.