France: Bayrou Faces No-Confidence Vote After Pension Talks Fail
Above: Francois Bayrou (L) at the National Assembly in Paris on June 25, 2025. Image copyright: Thomas Samson/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
Talks may have failed, but there is still light at the end of the tunnel. All parties seek a remedy to the 2023 pension reforms, and toppling the government once again would only plunge France back into the all-too-familiar political chaos. Although the deadline has passed, it is now more crucial than ever for all representatives to return to the table and reach a deal.
Opposition narrative
Bayrou broke his word to Parliament and workers by refusing to allow debate on lowering the retirement age after promising lawmakers would have the "last word" on pension reform. The failed talks expose his government's subservience to employer interests over worker needs, making censure the only democratic response to this betrayal.
