On October 31, 2025, a significant development occurred in the French National Assembly regarding pension reform related to the social security budget. The commission, during its examination of the 2026 social security financing bill, voted to suspend the pension reform initially proposed in 2023.
Key Developments in Social Security Financing Bill
The proposal to suspend pension reform was introduced by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. This move aimed to address demands from the Socialist Party (PS) and mitigate the likelihood of a censure vote from them. The article allowing the suspension was passed just before the debates concluded.
Voting Dynamics
The vote showcased divisions among various political groups. Representatives from the left-wing La France insoumise (LFI) opposed the suspension, while members of the Ecologist Party and the Democratic and Republican Left (GDR) chose to abstain. Support for the suspension primarily came from:
- Rassemblement National (RN)
- Centrist members of the Les Démocrates, Libertés, and other independent groups
Interestingly, members of the ruling Macronist party also abstained from the vote.
Symbolic Implications
This vote marks a crucial first step in clarifying the positions of various political actors. Nonetheless, it raised further questions about their strategies moving forward. While the suspension was passed, the entire social security financing bill was rejected during the discussions held late Friday night.
The rejection at this stage does not conclude the legislative process. Discussions are set to resume in the Hemicycle starting November 4, where lawmakers will deliberate on the initial version of the proposed social security budget put forth by the government.
This recent development illustrates the ongoing complexity of fiscal and social reforms in France, as political alliances and oppositions continue to shape the evolution of legislation.
