France’s social security bill was to go to a vote in parliament on Tuesday, in a key hurdle for Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu after he pledged to deliver a 2026 budget by year-end.
Lawmakers failing to back the plan, which includes the suspension of an unpopular retirement reform, could plunge the country into further political crisis and call into question Lecornu’s ability to lead.
The outcome of the vote is uncertain. Socialists are expected to back it, but the right and some centrists could vote against the bill as they believe it includes too many concessions to the left.
Lecornu wrote on X on Saturday: “This social security budget bill is not perfect, but it is the best possible. … Not having a budget would be dangerous for our social protection, our public finances, and the role of parliament.”
The eurozone’s second-largest economy is under pressure to reduce its budget deficit, but attempts to do so have been hindered by political instability since President Emmanuel Macron called snap elections last year, resulting in a fragmented parliament.
