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French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, in an attempt to avoid a political crisis and the collapse of the government, plans to take a radical step by partially suspending the pension reform that caused widespread protests in the country. According to BFMTV, the plan is to halt the gradual increase of the retirement age from 62 to 64 until 2027.

The basis of this decision is purely political calculation. Currently, two separate no-confidence motions against the government have been submitted in parliament by opposition right- and left-wing forces. The situation has become critical because if the Socialist Party joins the vote, the majority needed to topple the government will be secured. Therefore, Lecornu's move is seen as a compromise aimed at neutralizing the socialists' votes and thus avoiding a no-confidence vote.

It is reported that on October 13, the prime minister had a discussion lasting more than two hours with the "pension working group," which includes ministers. It was as a result of this meeting that the prime minister's preferred position—the partial suspension of the reform—was formed.

It should be recalled that the pension reform caused a major social explosion in France. From January to June 2023, widespread protests and strikes took place across the country, with more than a million people participating. Despite the clear resistance shown by the population, the law gradually raising the retirement age nevertheless came into force in September 2023. The government justified its decision with the insufficiency of budget funds to make payments to pensioners.

These developments were preceded by some political instability. On October 10, President Emmanuel Macron reappointed Lecornu as prime minister, who had resigned on October 6 after serving for less than a month. Now the prime minister is forced to make concessions on an issue that was considered the government's principled position last year.