Ségolène Royal, a prominent candidate in France’s social-democratic primary, expressed strong disapproval of comments made by Economy Minister Roland Lescure. During an interview with BFMTV-RMC on September 24, Royal said she was “shocked” by Lescure’s assertion that a 2,000 euro pension allows someone to “live correctly.” She criticized him for making such statements, especially given that he has previously disclosed a personal fortune of four million euros. Royal argued that people with substantial wealth and financial security are in a different position when commenting on the adequacy of pensions. Royal called the situation “scandalous,” accusing those in power of being “out of touch” with the daily struggles of ordinary citizens. She pointed out that ministers, unlike the general public, do not have to pay for their fuel, highlighting the economic disparities between political leaders and retirees. Her comments reflect broader concerns about the government’s handling of pension policy, which many see as disproportionately affecting the elderly and low-income retirees. Lescure made his remarks on France Inter on September 21, stating that he is aware of retirees around him who receive 2,000 euros per month. He defended the government’s stance, emphasizing that “2,000 euros is correct as a pension” and that it allows for a “correct” standard of living. He clarified that the government had no plans to reduce pensions and that the 2027 budget, presented by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, was intended for discussion with parliamentarians. The budget includes a sub-indexation policy, which would link pension increases to inflation but only for basic pensions, while preserving the lowest pensions. Royal opposes this approach, urging the government to stop “threatening people regarding pensions.” She criticized the government for not reintroducing the wealth solidarity tax (ISF), which was previously used to tax high net worth individuals. She argued that retirees are being unfairly targeted during a period of declining purchasing power. According to data from the DREES, the average pension in France is 1,705 euros gross per month, which is below the 2,000 euro figure cited by Lescure, further fueling concerns about the adequacy of retirement incomes.