Macron publicly backs pension reform freeze, says referendum to settle debate remains an option

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday publicly endorsed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s decision to pause the country’s controversial pension reform, while reaffirming that raising the retirement age remains essential, according to a Politico report.

At the same time, Macron said a referendum to resolve the pension reform debate remains an option, according to Reuters.

Speaking at a press conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Macron made his first public remarks since Lecornu announced a freeze on the phased increase in France’s minimum retirement age, a law pushed through in 2023 without a parliamentary vote.

The reform, which sparked months of mass protests and widespread public anger, will now be suspended until after the next presidential election in 2027.

“Facts are stubborn, and we’re getting older,” Politico quoted Macron as saying.

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He described the pause as a necessary step to “appease the public debate,” but was clear that he sees it not as a repeal or reversal, but a “delay” in the inevitable.

The freeze helped Lecornu secure temporary support from the Socialist Party, which had opposed the original reform. He narrowly survived a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly last Thursday, prevailing by just 18 votes.

Macron backed Lecornu’s political strategy, calling it a way to reopen dialogue while maintaining the government’s long-term policy goals.

“The reform remains necessary for the country,” Macron said, reiterating concerns about the solvency of France’s pension system amid an aging population.

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Most French workers contribute to a pay-as-you-go system that funds the pensions of current retirees — a model Macron insists is unsustainable without adjustments.

In private remarks to lawmakers from his Renaissance party, Lecornu reportedly framed the delay as a strategic opportunity to regain control of the narrative, calling it a chance to relaunch discussions “with the advantage of being on offense", reported Politico.

Asked whether the pension reform could eventually be put to a public vote, Macron said a referendum is still a possibility. “We must consider all democratic options,” he said.

His comments come as the government walks a political tightrope — trying to calm domestic unrest, hold a tenuous parliamentary majority, and project stability in the face of mounting economic and demographic pressures. Whether the pause — or the prospect of a referendum — will be enough to reset the debate remains uncertain.

With inputs from agencies