Current:Home > NewsFrench government pushes through pension reform plan despite protests -FinanceCore
French government pushes through pension reform plan despite protests
View
Date:2025-04-27 15:31:01
Opposition lawmakers in France's National Assembly booed and jeered as Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne announced she was pushing through controversial pension reforms as it looked clear the government did not have the support to win the planned vote.
Deputies began singing the Marseillaise, the French national anthem, in an attempt to drown her out as she criticized what she called deliberate blocking tactics by some deputies during the debates.
"We cannot gamble on the future of our pensions, this reform is necessary," Borne told lawmakers, to explain why she was invoking special constitutional powers to see the bill passed, after it seemed clear that the lower house would not reach agreement by the afternoon deadline.
Within minutes, an angry crowd gathered at the Place de la Concorde, across the river from the National Assembly, to denounce the move. French unions called for more protests across the country and promised to step up strikes nationwide.
Unions and opposition lawmakers were furious that, after weeks of debate in the National Assembly and then the Senate, the government opted to force the reforms through using special powers under Article 49:3 of the constitution. And it is a blow to President Emmanuel Macron, who had promised to reform France's complicated pension system when he was going for election and then reelection.
Several weeks of lively preliminary debates in the lower house, during which several thousand amendments were tabled, concluded without agreement. After a number of modifications to the bill, the Senate voted in favor of the reforms on Saturday, March 11, then again on a final reading this morning.
This is not the first time President Macron's minority government has used Article 49:3 when it looked like it would not get the needed support to pass a bill.
The far-right National Rally party immediately promised to bring a motion of no-confidence in Macron's government. That is the only way the reforms can be halted now. The far-right previously lost another no-confidence vote but if they can gather wider support among the opposition, they could hope to bring down the government.
The far-left has also threatened to bring a no-confidence motion but it remains to be seen if they would be prepared to fall in behind a joint motion.
However, the conservative Les Republicains party was quick to say it would neither bring nor vote a motion of no confidence in the government. Party president Eric Ciotti said the way the reforms had been pushed through was "a failure of several years of politics" and showed, he said, "a deep crisis in our institutions".
"The government ruined this reform that, I repeat, I thought necessary. … A vote was possible. The LR group had a majority in favor of the reform — a modest one, but a majority," he said.
Unless a no-confidence motion is won, the reforms will now go into effect later this year. One of the key points of the reform is a change in the retirement age from 62 to 64, which will be rolled in gradually over the next 4 years.
The new law will also raise the number of years needed to retire on a full pension, meaning many people who began working in their mid-twenties, or mothers who took time off work to raise children, will have to work until they are 67 before they can receive a full pension.
The controversial reforms prompted nationwide demonstrations and strikes since January, causing transport chaos on designated days of action. Blockades continue at France's oil refineries, some train services are reduced, and in Paris and some other cities, piles of trash have been piling up since last week, when refuse collectors went on strike. They have voted to continue their movement until at least March 20.
More than 7,000 tonnes of trash are heaped on street corners all over the French capital. Rats have been climbing out of the sewers in their thousands, attracted by the sudden availability of easy pickings. Adding to the problem, strikers have blockaded the three garbage treatment plants in the city.
Socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo rejected calls from the Interior Minister and the Paris police chief to requisition workers to clear the trash. However, the police chief has now said he can go over her head and order some of them back to work – although since they are employees of the city, that may not happen right away.
- In:
- France
veryGood! (256)
Related
- Jamaica's Kishane Thompson more motivated after thrilling 100m finish against Noah Lyles
- Walmart joins other big retailers in scaling back on self-checkout
- How an Arizona Medical Anthropologist Uses Oral Histories to Add Depth to Environmental Science
- Autoworkers union celebrates breakthrough win in Tennessee and takes aim at more plants in the South
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Why Sam Taylor-Johnson and Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Romance Is Still Fifty Shades of Passionate
- Councilwoman chosen as new Fort Wayne mayor, its 1st Black leader, in caucus to replace late mayor
- Harry Styles fan sentenced to prison for stalking the Grammy-winning singer: Reports
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Dwayne Johnson talks Chris Janson video collab, says he once wanted to be a country star
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Who will advance in NHL playoffs? Picks and predictions for every NHL first round series
- Theater Review: ‘Stereophonic’ is a brilliant ‘Behind the Music’ play on Broadway
- Trump campaign, RNC aim to deploy 100,000 volunteer vote-counting monitors for presidential election
- Vance jokes he’s checking out his future VP plane while overlapping with Harris at Wisconsin airport
- Colorado organizers fail to gather enough signatures to put anti-abortion measure on the ballot
- Recently arrested Morgan Wallen says he’s “not proud” of behavior
- Columbia University protests continue for 3rd day after more than 100 arrested
Recommendation
British swimmer Adam Peaty: There are worms in the food at Paris Olympic Village
New York lawmakers pass $237 billion budget addressing housing construction and migrants
Jonathan Tetelman recalls his journey from a nightclub DJ to an international opera star
Researchers at Michigan Tech Want to Create a High-Tech Wood Product Called Cross-Laminated Timber From the State’s Hardwood Trees
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
White Green: Emerging Star in Macro Strategic Investment
Trader Joe’s basil recall: Maps show states affected by salmonella, recalled product
Reduced Snow Cover and Shifting Vegetation Are Disrupting Alpine Ecosystems, Study Finds