France. Macron’s pension reform survives two confidence votes
French President Emmanuel Macron’s government has defeated not just one but two no-confidence votes, allowing it to force an overhaul of the retirement system through the lower house of parliament despite months of protests.
Thousands of people took to the streets of Paris and other cities the day before the vote to denounce the pension changes, which they fear will oblige people to work longer for less money. Currently the eligibility age for a full pension is 62.
As members of the National Assembly accused Macron of “dictatorial” behaviour in a debate that started on Tuesday and lasted past midnight, protesters illuminated the Champs-Elysees with red flares and intoned the national anthem, the Marseillaise.
The pension reform prompted France’s worst strikes in decades throughout December and January, hobbling public transport and disrupting schools, hospitals, courts and even opera houses.
Now, demonstrators are angry at Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s decision last week to use a special constitutional power to push the retirement bill through the assembly without a vote, to speed up the complex legislative process after the damaging strikes.
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