France’s Lecornu Faces Budget Clash After Surviving Ouster Votes

Sebastien Lecornu following a confidence vote at the National Assembly in Paris, on Oct. 16.Photographer: Nathan Laine/Bloomberg

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By William Horobin

October 16, 2025 at 9:43 AM UTC

Updated on

October 16, 2025 at 11:53 AM UTC

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes at the National Assembly on Thursday, clearing a path for a difficult debate on the budget that could yet topple the government.

The 39-year-old premier remains in office thanks to abstentions of most Socialist lawmakers after he bowed to their demands to suspend President Emmanuel Macron’s contentious 2023 pension law.