The French government pushed the controversial pension reform despite violent protests without a final vote by parliament. On Thursday, she decided to implement President Emmanuel Macron’s main reform project with a special article in the constitution without a vote in the National Assembly. In theory, the project can still be reversed by a vote of no confidence.
217 people were arrested in Paris on Thursday night during protests against the reform. The France Info station reported that riots had broken out in the Place de la Concorde in the center of the capital. According to media reports, riot police used water cannons and tear gas to clear the square. Among other things, demonstrators set fire to wooden pallets and threw objects at the police officers. In total about 6000 participants were counted.
Millions and mountains of rubbish on the streets
There were also protests in other major French cities. The unions called for another nationwide day of strikes and protests for next Thursday. Millions of people had already taken to the streets against the reform project. Strikes caused chaos in train and air traffic, mountains of rubbish in the streets and canceled lessons. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin instructed the police to provide special protection for MPs in light of the ongoing protests. The parliamentarians are exposed to threats, insults and damage to property, the minister wrote, as reported by France Info.
Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne had previously said in parliament, accompanied by loud protests from the opposition, “This reform is necessary.” She and her government are taking their responsibility, Borne said to indignant boos in the National Assembly and officially announced the application of Article 49.3. of the constitution, which allows a law to be passed without a parliamentary vote if the government survives one or more related no-confidence votes.
Vote too high risk
The Senate, as the second chamber of parliament, voted to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. However, approval in the National Assembly was not certain. “We are not sure about some votes, we can’t take the risk,” Borne said, explaining the decision not to vote in the National Assembly, which was originally scheduled for 3 p.m. The prime minister accused the opposition of blocking the debates.
The opposition now has 24 hours to table one or more motions of no confidence. The right-wing populist group leader Marine Le Pen immediately announced a motion from her group. If the government loses the vote, it amounts to new elections. The atmosphere in the National Assembly was very heated. Some MPs loudly sang the national anthem, and there were numerous angry riots.
Retirement at 62 part of national pride
Passing the bill without a final vote in parliament is likely to spark public protests. Two thirds of the French reject the reform, the unions think the plans are brutal and unjust. Retiring at 62 is considered a social achievement in France and part of national pride. According to the opposition, the reform mainly disadvantages workers in heavy professions.
In fact, retirement starts on average later than the age of 62: those who have not paid long enough for a full pension will continue to work longer. At age 67, there will then be pension without deductions, regardless of how long it has been paid in – the government wants to keep it that way, even if the number of years of contribution for a full pension goes up faster. She wants to increase the monthly minimum pension to around 1,200 euros. With the reform, the cabinet wants to close an imminent gap in the pension fund.
Source: Krone
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