The French Socialist Party announced on Tuesday that it intends to bring down Bayrou following the failure of pension reform discussions earlier in the week. The center-left party had not opposed the government throughout four months of negotiations with trade unions and industry representatives regarding improvements to the unpopular 2023 law that raised the minimum retirement age. After talks collapsed, the Socialists requested a parliamentary debate on pensions, which Bayrou declined.
Other left-wing groups declared their support for the motion to overthrow the government, but to succeed it would also require votes from the far right.
“If we censure François Bayrou in the coming days, the [2023] pensions reform will remain,” Chenu stated.
He mentioned that the National Rally aims to use its position to secure concessions from Bayrou on France’s energy or migration policy during the upcoming budget debates this fall.
The National Rally had previously used a similar strategy with Bayrou’s predecessor, Michel Barnier, achieving various policy successes during budget negotiations but eventually decided to withdraw support from his government over proposed tax increases.
Without the covert backing of the Socialists, Bayrou’s survival largely depends on the National Rally’s future actions.
In response to Chenu’s remarks, government spokesperson Sophie Primas stated that proposals “from every political group” would be considered during budget drafting. The government is set to present its initial proposals next month, aiming to identify €40 billion in savings to address a deficit projected to reach 5.6 percent of GDP this year.
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