France's Macron: referendum possible to settle pension reform debate

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that a referendum to settle a debate over pension reform remains a possibility.

The pension reform was pushed through parliament without a vote in 2023. It was suspended last week by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu in order to win support from the Socialist Party and thus survive no confidence votes.

Lecornu later told the National Assembly: "The discussion should take place with the French people, either during the presidential election, which will be an opportunity to hear everyone's social proposals on this subject, or perhaps even before that, through a referendum if a plan emerges from discussions with social partners," he said.