Published: October 16, 2025

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has narrowly survived two no-confidence motions aimed at toppling his newly formed minority government — a sign of the political challenges awaiting him as the contentious 2026 budget debate approaches.

Lecornu, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, urged lawmakers on Thursday to choose “democratic dialogue over political chaos”, emphasizing that France needs a stable parliament to address crucial economic issues rather than plunging into turmoil.

The first no-confidence motion, initiated by the left-wing France Unbowed (La France Insoumise), received 271 votes, falling just 18 short of the 289 required to collapse the government. The narrow margin revealed deep divisions within the National Assembly and underlined Lecornu’s precarious position.

A second motion, proposed by Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, gained 144 votes, as it failed to secure backing from the leftist bloc. Despite surviving both attempts, Lecornu’s government faces a difficult road ahead in passing next year’s budget through a sharply polarized parliament.

Concessions and Political Maneuvering

The government’s survival was largely attributed to the Socialist Party’s leadership, which refrained from supporting the no-confidence move after Lecornu promised to freeze Macron’s controversial pension reform. The reform had sought to gradually raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, sparking widespread public protests earlier this year.

However, seven Socialist lawmakers broke ranks and voted against the government, signaling ongoing discontent even among moderate factions.

Challenges Ahead for the Government

Lecornu now faces the critical task of steering the 2026 national budget — essential for maintaining fiscal discipline in Europe’s second-largest economy — through parliament before December 31.

Mathilde Panot, leader of France Unbowed’s parliamentary group, said the vote outcome showed how close the government came to collapse:

> “Only a few votes separated Lecornu from defeat. The coming budget will bring suffering to those already hit hardest by government policies.”

Meanwhile, Socialist leader Olivier Faure vowed to fight what he called an “unjust and unbalanced budget,” pledging his party would push for fairer social and economic measures during the debates.