France is getting closer to dissolving its parliament. Pension reform is in the balance

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that no-confidence motions tabled by the opposition are “motions to dissolve parliament and should be seen as such.” He added that institutional stability is needed.

The head of state spoke during Tuesday's government meeting; in France, the president presides over the council of ministers. Macron's words were conveyed by government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon.

Macron commented on two motions of no confidence already submitted in parliament by the far left and the far right. He assessed that nA “special” and demanding moment occurred. The president emphasized stability and the importance of compromise, the spokeswoman reported.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu argued at the government meeting that The political crisis in the country “is not a systemic crisis“.

Neither the president nor the prime minister mentioned the condition set by the Socialist Party for the government – the suspension of the pension reform. The position of the socialists is crucial because – according to media estimates – only 24 votes are needed to pass the motion of no confidence in the Lecorn cabinet.

awl/ap/