If there is no compromise on the pension reform in France, the Socialist Party, whose support is essential for the minority government under François Bayrou, will vote for a no-confidence vote.
Socialist leader Olivier Faure stated this on TF1. Faure noted the French Prime Minister’s readiness to discuss pension reform.
“The resumption of social dialogue is very good; I will take it into account. However, until we reach an agreement, we cannot discuss resuming the Bron’s (former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne – Ed.) reform,” he said.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou announced the opening of negotiations over a three-month period to produce a text that could replace the 2023 pension reform. Olivier Faure is delighted with the outcome, although his group in parliament, the socialists, could still vote no confidence in the government.
The Socialist leader confirmed that his party would express no confidence in the government “if it does not receive a clear answer” to questions about pension reform.
“We want a sincere discussion. I’m waiting for the prime minister’s answer,” Faure said.
The Socialists, who, along with far-right MPs, voted against the previous budget proposals that led to the downfall of Michel Barnier’s government, have made concessions on the 2023 pension reform a condition of their support for the Bayrou government.
The left widely rejects the reform, which gradually raises the minimum age for full pensions from 62 to 64 in order to save 17 billion euros annually in France’s budget.
France’s new prime minister, Francois Bayrou, a prominent centrist leader in the past and a former presidential candidate in two elections, approved the reconsideration of the plan to raise the retirement age this week.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the political spectrum, the conservatives warned against any suspension of pension reform.