France suspends 2023 pension reform until 2028

(MENAFN) The French National Assembly on Wednesday approved a provision in the Social Security budget bill that suspends the 2023 pension reform until January 1, 2028. The measure halts the planned increase of the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 until the next presidential election, passing with a 255-146 vote, while 104 lawmakers abstained.

Support came mainly from Socialists, most Green Party members, and the National Rally, whereas La France Insoumise, the Republicans, and most Horizons deputies opposed it. Most Renaissance lawmakers abstained.

At the same session, lawmakers rejected a proposed freeze on retirement pensions and minimum social benefits, a cost-saving initiative in the draft budget, with 308 votes against and 99 in favor.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu had proposed suspending the reform on October 14, promising no retirement age increase before 2028 to address opposition demands and avoid Socialist Party censure. The reform, originally enacted in 2023 under former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, had aimed to gradually raise the retirement age, sparking one of the longest strike waves in decades.

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