François Bayrou Under Pressure: The Socialist Party Conditions Its Support on Clear Commitments Regarding Pension Reform

During his general policy speech, François Bayrou announced plans to renegotiate the pension reform without formally suspending the current law. This decision sparked strong reactions, particularly from the Socialist Party (PS), which now demands clear assurances to avoid voting for censure.

The Prime Minister proposed a “reassessment with social partners for a brief period,” accompanied by a “flash mission” by the Court of Auditors and a meeting with social partners scheduled for Friday. Bayrou affirmed he had “no taboos, not even on the retirement age,” but emphasized his requirement to maintain financial balance. His approach, which explicitly rules out an immediate suspension of the reform, has dampened the PS’s hopes for an agreement.

Speaking on TF1, the Socialist Party’s first secretary, Olivier Faure, declared, “Whether there is an agreement or not, Parliament must be consulted on the pension issue.” He added that without guarantees within 48 hours, the PS would vote for censure on Thursday. Just hours earlier, Faure had suggested that an agreement might still be possible after extended negotiations over the reform.

An Uncertain Compromise
Bayrou proposed that if an agreement is reached, a bill could be reviewed before summer. However, his failure to mention terms like “freeze” or “suspension” in his speech disappointed the Socialists, who insist on immediate guarantees, including a pause at the start of the renegotiations. The Prime Minister did clarify that the reform would not lead to the elimination of 4,000 teaching positions and announced increased spending for health insurance.

This stance left a bitter taste among Socialist deputies, several of whom, such as Jérôme Guedj, voiced their frustration: “François Bayrou has 48 hours to provide solid guarantees.”

Tensions on the Left and a Fragile Alliance
This situation has also intensified tensions within the Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP), the left-wing coalition. Jean-Luc Mélenchon criticized the PS’s negotiations, accusing them of undermining the alliance in exchange for what he called “grotesque” concessions. Meanwhile, the PS is concerned about growing disagreements with the Greens and Communists, who feel they have gained little from these talks.

While the PS claims to prioritize maintaining left-wing unity, the next few hours will be decisive. “Stability for stability’s sake is meaningless,” remarked one Socialist deputy. Without the expected guarantees, the coalition may unravel.