Talks between French trade unions and employers over pension reforms broke down Monday night, pushing Prime Minister François Bayrou to step in and call an urgent meeting

with both sides.

The failure of the so-called "pension conclave" has left Bayrou in a risky spot. If left-wing and far-right parties unite on a no-confidence vote, his government could fall.

Far-left party France Unbowed is already pushing for a confidence vote, while the Socialist party is divided. Socialist leader Olivier Faure warned they'll support the vote if Bayrou doesn’t let parliament have the final say after Tuesday’s talks. “I see a prime minister who is playing for time,” Faure said.

Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen’s far-right RN is holding off—for now. Senior RN lawmaker Jean-Philippe Tanguy said the party is waiting to see Bayrou’s budget proposal next month before making a move.

At the center of the pension debate is the controversial 2023 reform raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. Unions want carve-outs for physically demanding jobs and better treatment of maternity leave. Employers fear the cost of those changes.

Bayrou, a centrist known for his strict approach to public spending, says he’s open to any solution—as long as the pension deficit is fixed by 2030. His office confirmed he’ll meet union leaders at noon today to keep talks going.

Bayrou became PM last December after the far-left and far-right teamed up to oust Michel Barnier over austerity cuts. With budget negotiations coming up this fall, more political turbulence could be ahead. Photo by Jacques Paquier, Wikimedia commons.