The French Socialist Party, whose support is crucial for the operation of the minority government led by François Bayrou, will vote for a vote of no confidence if there is no compromise on the pension reform issue.
This was announced by the leader of the Socialists, Olivier Faure, in an interview on TF1. Faure highlighted the French Prime Minister’s willingness to discuss the pension reform issue.
“Restoring social dialogue is very good, and I will take that into account. But we cannot talk about going back to the reform (of former Prime Minister Elisabeth Bourne) if there is no agreement,” he added.
The leader of the Socialists confirmed that his party would express no confidence in the government “if we do not receive a clear answer” on the pension reform issue.
“We want a sincere discussion. I am waiting for a response from the Prime Minister,” Faure stated.
The Socialists, who, along with right-wing deputies, voted against previous budget proposals, leading to the collapse of Michel Barnier’s government, have made their support for Bayrou’s government conditional on concessions regarding the 2023 pension reform.
The reform, widely rejected by the left, gradually raises the minimum age for receiving a full pension from 62 to 64 in order to save 17 billion euros per year.
