France suspends pension reform until 2028, says prime minister

France has announced a halt to its controversial pension reform, with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirming the suspension of changes to retirement age and contribution requirements until the 2028 presidential elections. The decision comes after the Socialist Party signaled it would not vote to bring down the government, a move that would have been decisive for the survival of Lecornu’s administration.

“From this autumn, I will propose to Parliament that the 2023 pension reform be suspended until the elections,” Lecornu said in a speech to the Assemblée Nationale, adding that there will be no increase in the retirement age or contribution rates during this period, in line with requests from the CFDT union.

The prime minister emphasized that the suspension is not an end in itself. “Suspending without planning for the future would be irresponsible. This pause must restore trust and allow us to build new solutions,” he said, describing the move as an opportunity to reform better. Lecornu added that pensions will remain a central topic in the upcoming presidential campaign.

He also warned that the government will need to compensate for the foregone revenue from the suspended measures, potentially through other spending cuts or financial adjustments. The announcement is expected to calm immediate social tensions but highlights ongoing debates over the sustainability of France’s pension system and the political challenges surrounding it.

This suspension marks a significant shift in France’s social policy, temporarily delaying the government’s plan to gradually raise the retirement age and adjusting the system to maintain financial stability while avoiding confrontation with unions and political opponents.