French PM Sébastien Lecornu survives two no-confidence votes in National Assembly

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly on October 16, 2025. He won by a margin of 18 votes after agreeing to suspend President Macron"s pension reform until after 2027. This concession garnered support from the Socialist party, helping to avert a potential government collapse amid ongoing budget tensions.

Lecornu also pledged to avoid invoking Article 49.3 for the 2026 budget. He was reappointed on October 10 to form a new government and address the fiscal crisis, which aims for a 4.7% deficit through over €30 billion in cuts.

These developments come as the French government navigates significant budgetary challenges, reflecting a broader context of political instability in the region.