PARIS — France's government survived two no-confidence motions in the National Assembly on Tuesday, allowing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to remain in office despite weeks of mass protests over pension and budget policy. The motions fell short of the 289 votes needed.

The votes followed nationwide demonstrations that drew hundreds of thousands onto the streets of Paris, Lyon and Marseille in recent weeks. Trade unions and opposition parties had demanded President Emmanuel Macron reverse austerity measures in the 2027 budget and restore concessions on pension reform.

The far-left La France Insoumise and the National Rally each tabled censure motions, but neither secured enough cross-bench support. The Socialist Party's decision to abstain proved decisive in keeping the minority government alive, according to statements from party figures in the Assembly.

Philippe Moreau-Chevrolet, a political scientist at Sciences Po, said the survival offered Macron only temporary relief. He warned that the government remained paralysed and vulnerable to further street mobilisation. Union leaders signalled fresh strike action in the coming weeks.

Lecornu told deputies after the vote that he would press ahead with budget negotiations and seek compromise with moderate opposition blocs. He urged restraint from protesters and pledged dialogue with labour unions to defuse the standoff.