The debate of the mixed committee will start on Wednesday and voting will be possible in both chambers from Thursday. Unions have already called for more protests.
Euskaraz irakurri: Frantziako Senatuak pension erreforma onartzeko lehenengo urratsa egin du, protestei aurre eginez
Late this Saturday, the French Senate approved the controversial pension reform project promoted by the government of Emmanuel Macron, despite the strong dissatisfaction of the population, which experienced a new chapter this Saturday with the seventh day of mobilizations called for by the trade unions.
The text, debated through an expedited procedure activated by the executive branch to prevent numerous opposition amendments from hampering debate, received the support of 195 senators and 112 votes against.
The first reactions of the government celebrating the decision were not long in coming and a few minutes after the vote, French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne celebrated the “decisive step” towards a reform that will “guarantee the future” of French pensions.
The macronist bloc benefited from positioning in favor of the Los Republicanos conservatives, whose leader, Bruno Retailleau, championed reform of the pension system as something necessary to save it from “demographic shock” which will imply the evolution of the population in the coming years.
In the other camp, Socialist Senator Monique Lubin, in her last turn to speak, assured that this Saturday will remain a “black day for all wage earners” in the country.
Next steps
The text of the pension reform will be discussed in a joint joint committee on March 15 in order to arrive at a common version, which must then be validated by both chambers from March 16.
The vote is expected to be tight in the National Assembly, which previously failed to vote on the entire bill at first reading.
At the earliest, the final vote would be possible that same day and the maximum deadline is until March 26, at the end of the day.
The main pillar of the reform promoted by Macron is to postpone the minimum retirement age by two years, from the current 62 years to 64 years.
Demonstration in Baiona. Photo: EITB
protests
Last Saturday’s debate was held as thousands of citizens took to the streets to protest against the reform called for by all the trade unions, which firmly reject it.
It was the seventh day of mobilizations since the Executive revealed details of the project.
For next Wednesday, which coincides with the joint committee exam, the unions have already called for another day of mobilization.
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Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
