France’s Prime Minister narrowly survives twin no-confidence motions after conceding to unions on pension reforms to avert political collapse.
In a tense political showdown in Paris, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal narrowly survived two no-confidence votes on Wednesday, after making last-minute concessions on President Emmanuel Macron’s deeply unpopular pension overhaul. The votes, which could have toppled his government, underscored the fragility of Macron’s ruling coalition and the growing social unrest shaking France’s political landscape.
The opposition, led by both the hard-left and right-wing parties, attempted to unseat Attal’s centrist administration over its handling of pension reforms that have ignited weeks of strikes and mass protests across the country. However, a handful of centrist and conservative lawmakers sided with the government, allowing it to narrowly escape collapse.
In a dramatic bid to defuse tensions, Attal announced a partial rollback of the most contentious provisions — including delaying the increase in the retirement age and offering special exemptions for manual laborers and low-income workers. The move, seen as a political retreat, helped sway critical votes and stave off the immediate threat to his leadership.
“The government has heard the anger of the French people,” Attal declared after the vote. “We will defend social justice while preserving France’s economic strength.”
The survival of the Macron bloc, however, may prove temporary. The pension reform — intended to stabilize France’s economy — has become a symbol of elite detachment and public frustration, with opponents vowing continued street demonstrations.
International observers noted that Attal’s compromise was reminiscent of global leaders forced to soften economic policies amid mounting public resistance — yet Macron’s government remains determined to prove that fiscal discipline and political survival can coexist.
As one political analyst put it, “Attal won the vote — but lost the momentum.”
