FRENCH Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two votes of no-confidence today that could have toppled his fragile new government.

The National Assembly votes clear the way for Mr Lecornu to pursue what could be an even greater challenge: getting a 2026 budget for France through the bitterly divided lower house before the end of the year.

Mr Lecornu’s survival also spares any immediate need for President Emmanuel Macron to again dissolve the National Assembly and call legislative elections.

The 577-seat chamber voted first on a motion from left-wing France Unbowed. It fell short by 18 votes, with 271 lawmakers in favour when 289 were needed.

A second motion from the far-right National Rally got just 144 votes.

Mr Lecornu suspended the implementation of President Macron’s unpopular flagship policy to raise France’s retirement age from 62 to 64 until the 2027 presidential election and pledged to implement a wealth tax in concessions aimed at keeping his job.

France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Melenchon said that once again the left had stood together against President Macron.

He said: “A united resistance against Macronism exists. No submission to Lecornu. May the Macron clique come to an end.”