Lecornu halted the pension reform, but encountered resistance in the Senate

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that pension reform will be officially suspended until the presidential elections, with the proposal for a formal suspension to be discussed by parliament in November, reports the daily newspaper Le Monde.

The aim is to ease social tensions after months of protests against raising the retirement age. Lecornu presented his plans in Parliament and the Senate, but met with resistance there.

The Republicans and the Center Party in the upper chamber in particular continue to support the reform and criticize the government for making too many concessions to the Socialists. Former Prime Minister Philippe's Horizons party warns that the Senate will “clean up” the draft budget of inappropriate elements.

Criticism is also coming from the centrists of the UDI, who feel ignored. If Parliament does not pass the bill, the government faces difficult negotiations. Lecornu faces the challenge of reconciling pressure from the streets with resistance from the conservative Senate.

(mja)