The National Assembly approved a revised version of the revenue section of the 2025 Social Security budget on Monday, November 4th, with the support of the left and opposition from Macronist and right-wing MPs. The amended text includes additional contributions of 17 to 20 billion euros, which were approved by a vote of 126 for and 98 against. The Assembly is now set to begin examining the expenditure section of the budget. The left increased contributions on capital income and dividends to fund social protection and security needs, while government-aligned members criticized the text for creating excessive taxes and charges that would impact the middle class.
Members from the government-aligned parties called the text lacking in seriousness and political significance, accusing the left of burdening the middle class with taxes and charges. The National Front Populaire (NFP) received tacit support from the National Rally (RN) in order to secure the vote in their favor. While the RN criticized the initial government proposal, they abstained from voting in order to avoid prematurely ending the debates, as rejection of the revenue section would lead to the rejection of the entire text. This support from the RN allowed the left to claim victory over the retirement reform with the adoption of amendments opposing the age increase for retirement.
The left’s victory on the retirement reform was also symbolic, with amendments proposed and adopted by socialist, insubordinate, and communist members increasing the age of retirement back to 62 years old from the government’s proposed 64 years old. The support of the RN in this instance was unexpected but crucial for the left’s success in defeating the reform. The Minister of Budget urged the Socialist Party not to give in to demagoguery and focus on reducing public deficits instead. The left saw this victory as a first symbolic step, with further discussions planned for a proposal to completely abolish the retirement reform in the future.
In a clear display of opposition to the government’s budget proposal, the left-wing members joined forces to amend the Social Security budget to better align with their priorities of redistribution and wealth sharing. Party lines were clearly drawn as government-aligned MPs criticized the amendments as excessive and detrimental to the middle class. The tacit support of the National Rally provided the left with the necessary votes to pass the amended text, marking a significant victory for those in favor of a more progressive approach to social and economic policy. The future of the Social Security budget and potential further amendments will continue to be debated in the coming days.
