French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes, winning Socialist support after pledging to shelve President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform until after the 2027 presidential election. Motions from France Unbowed and the National Rally drew 271 and 144 votes—short of the 289 needed. The escape highlights a fragile administration midway through Macron’s final term as bond markets stayed calm and rivals decried horse-trading. The Socialists, emboldened by the concession, now seek a billionaire tax in the 2026 budget, setting up bruising talks that could still topple the days-old government.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.