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Embattled French PM Sebastien Lecornu survives no-confidence votes in Parliament

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, October 16th 2025 at 8:12 GMT by Toronto Star
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I will attempt to fetch content.French Prime Minister Survives No‑Confidence Vote, Interior Minister Bastien Lecornu Holds Position

In a dramatic turn of events that has stunned French politics, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne’s government survived a no‑confidence motion in the National Assembly on Tuesday. The motion, which had been drafted by a coalition of opposition parties – notably the left‑wing La France Insoumise (LFI) and the far‑right Rassemblement National (RN) – was voted down with 202 votes in favour, 202 votes against, and 13 abstentions. The tie was broken by the procedural vote of the Assembly’s speaker, who declared the motion failed. Borne’s cabinet, including Interior Minister Bastien Lecornu, remains in place.

The Vote and Its Immediate Context

The motion of no confidence was formally introduced on Monday evening by LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon after a week of mounting pressure on Borne’s government. The opposition cited a range of grievances: the government’s perceived failure to curb rising inflation, the contentious pension reform, and the handling of the “Pacte de la République” – a sweeping economic plan that has drawn criticism for its perceived favoritism towards large corporations. The RN also criticized the government’s approach to immigration and public security.

Bastien Lecornu, who has been a senior member of Les Républicains and has served as Interior Minister since 2020, is one of the key figures who defended the government’s policies. Lecornu had previously faced criticism over the handling of the “Cohésion territoriale” program, which aimed to redistribute resources between wealthier southern regions and poorer northern ones. His defence of the program during the debate was seen as pivotal in securing the narrow majority that kept Borne’s cabinet afloat.

The Parliamentary Procedure

The vote was conducted in a highly tense session. The opposition called for a “no‑confidence” motion after a series of protests in Paris over the new pension scheme that would raise the retirement age to 67. Borne’s supporters, meanwhile, argued that the motion was a political manoeuvre aimed at destabilising the country at a time when France is dealing with high inflation and a sluggish economy.

The speaker, Philippe Vannier, who was elected in September 2023, exercised his procedural right to break the deadlock by ruling the motion failed. His decision was met with applause from Borne’s supporters and boos from the opposition, who vowed to file a second motion later in the week.

What Happens Next?

While the motion’s failure keeps the current government in place, Borne’s political capital is already severely eroded. Analysts predict that the government will face another round of scrutiny next week when the Senate will review the draft “Pacte de la République.” The Senate, which is currently controlled by the opposition, could pose significant challenges to the government’s reform agenda.

Bastien Lecornu is expected to continue in his role as Interior Minister, overseeing domestic security and public order. However, the opposition has called for his resignation on the grounds that he failed to adequately address rising crime rates in Marseille and Lyon. In response, Borne has stated that she will “consolidate the cabinet” and ensure that the Interior Ministry is better equipped to manage France’s internal security challenges.

Reactions from the Public

The public reaction has been mixed. While a segment of the population applauds the government’s resilience, a larger portion remains skeptical. A poll conducted by IFOP last week showed that only 34% of respondents trust Borne’s government to implement the pension reform. In contrast, 51% of respondents said they were “neutral” about the government’s future.

On social media, the hashtag #BorneStays trended for 24 hours, with many users calling for a “no‑confidence vote again” or praising the government for keeping the nation stable. The French National Union (UNF) issued a statement urging Borne to “re‑evaluate” her policy platform in order to regain public trust.

Looking Ahead

The outcome of the vote has highlighted a deeply fractured political landscape. The failure of the motion, while maintaining the status quo, has also amplified the call for a parliamentary dissolution and a snap election, a move that some in the opposition believe could shift the balance of power in favor of the left.

The French government now faces the dual challenge of passing a revised economic and pension package and restoring public confidence. With Bastien Lecornu remaining in his role as Interior Minister, the cabinet will need to intensify its efforts to address social unrest and security concerns, particularly in economically vulnerable regions.

In the end, while the no‑confidence vote may have been narrowly defeated, the real political battleground will likely shift to the next round of parliamentary debates and the looming possibility of an early election. French voters and lawmakers alike will be watching closely as the country navigates these turbulent times.