France Parliament Approves Social Security Budget, PM Lecornu Triumphs on Key Reform

• France's parliament adopted a social security budget, marking a victory for Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
• The measure passed by 247 votes to 232 and includes the suspension of the unpopular 2023 pension reform, which aimed to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.
• The suspension of the pension reform secured the crucial support of the Socialists, a swing group in parliament.
• This is the first budget adopted without using the controversial Article 49.3 of the constitution since 2022, fulfilling Lecornu's vow.
• Lawmakers now face pressure to pass a draft state budget bill, with negotiations beginning Friday, amidst potential opposition from Socialists and Ecologists.

Why It Matters: PM Lecornu secures a major win as France's parliament passes social security budget, suspending pension reform.