Tue Jan 14 16:59:18 UTC 2025: ## French Prime Minister Renegotiates Pension Reform to Avoid Government Collapse

**Paris, France** – French Prime Minister François Bayrou announced a renegotiation of the controversial pension reform, raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, in a bid to stabilize his government and secure passage of the 2025 budget. This move comes just weeks after his predecessor’s government collapsed amidst intense political wrangling.

Bayrou’s announcement, made Tuesday during his first address to lawmakers, involves reopening talks with social partners to review the pension reform. While he hasn’t specified concrete changes, the move is aimed at appeasing opposition parties, particularly the Socialists, and preventing another no-confidence vote that could topple the government.

The original reform, a key policy of President Emmanuel Macron, sparked months of widespread protests earlier this year. Critics argued the changes disproportionately affected certain worker groups. While the reform was passed in April, its implementation is now under review.

The current government, propped up by the centre-right Republicans and Macron’s centrist allies, is facing a tight deadline to pass the budget. Failure to do so could lead to a government shutdown and hinder vital spending, including military expenditures in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

However, the path forward remains uncertain. The far-right National Rally party, led by Marine Le Pen, whose influence was key in the previous government’s downfall, remains a significant obstacle. National Rally President Jordan Bardella has already voiced strong opposition to any budget increases in healthcare spending for undocumented migrants, tax hikes on businesses, or increases in medication costs. The delicate negotiations with the Socialists, while welcomed by them, could still lead to a further impasse and a renewed threat of a no-confidence motion. France’s political landscape remains highly volatile as Bayrou attempts to navigate the complex challenges ahead.

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