The votes came shortly after Macron controversially reappointed Lecornu, leaving the government in a fragile position. Both the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) and the far-right National Rally (RN) attempted to topple the cabinet, but neither motion garnered enough support to succeed.

Confidence Votes in the National Assembly

The far-left LFI’s motion fell short by 18 votes, obtaining only 271 of the required 289 votes. The far-right RN’s motion, meanwhile, failed due to lack of support from opposition parties, receiving just 144 votes. Both initiatives reflected the ongoing tension in parliament, as extremists on either side sought to capitalize on Lecornu’s newly formed cabinet.

Political Tension in France

RN, holding the largest number of seats in parliament, has been pressing Macron to call an early election, believing it could deliver them additional gains. Meanwhile, the left and centrist alliances have worked to avoid this outcome. Marine Le Pen publicly stated her impatience for elections, asserting that her party is ready to hand the ballots over to the French people.

Pension Reform Debate

During the heated debates, Lecornu faced jeers in the chamber, prompting repeated interventions from Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet to maintain order. In an effort to secure votes from undecided moderate left lawmakers, Lecornu announced on Tuesday that unpopular pension reforms—raising the retirement age from 62 to 64—would be suspended. However, he clarified that the suspension would take the form of adjustments to the social security budget rather than a new law, drawing criticism from some Socialist deputies who had initially pledged support.

Next Steps: 2026 Budget

With the confidence votes behind him, Lecornu and the parliament can now focus on France’s 2026 budget, a critical test for the country’s second-largest economy. The Finance Committee began deliberations on Monday, and the draft is expected to reach the full assembly by the end of next week.