The freeze ensured that Lecornu’s government gained at least temporary support from the Socialists, who had opposed the 2023 reform. Lecornu survived the initial no-confidence vote against his government on Thursday by 18 votes.
Macron commended Lecornu’s choice as a means to “appease the public debate.” The French president emphasized that the reform remains “necessary for the country” and described Lecornu’s action as “neither a repeal nor a suspension,” but rather a “delay.”
In a meeting with lawmakers from Macron’s Renaissance party, Lecornu mentioned that his decision to freeze one of Macron’s significant policies was intended to reopen debates with the “advantage of being on offense,” according to a participant in the meeting.
The French president reiterated that maintaining future solvency of France’s pension system wouldn’t be ensured under the current minimum retirement age as more people retire and live longer than before. In France, most workers contribute to a fund that pays the pensions of current retirees.
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