The streets of Paris were filled with protesters as they demonstrated against French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to push a bill raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 through parliament without a vote. The protesters, led by the influential CGT union, blocked major roads, halted rubbish collection, and disrupted university campuses in a determination to get the government to back down. The strike action spread to other cities, with shop windows and bank fronts smashed in Lyon and Marseille. French interior minister Gerald Darmanin reported that 310 people were arrested overnight, with most of the arrests made in Paris.
The trade unions, which had organized strikes and marches against the higher retirement age, vowed to continue their protests in the days ahead, saying that overwhelming the streets with discontent was the only way to get the government to reconsider. Regis Vieceli, a representative of the CGT union, stated that they were not going to stop until the government backed down. The unions believe that the retirement reform is “brutal, unjust, and unjustified” for workers.
Macron’s decision to invoke a special constitutional power to push the pension bill through parliament without a vote has infuriated opposition politicians, citizens, and unions. The opposition parties are expected to start procedures for a confidence vote in the government led by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, which would likely take place early next week. If the no-confidence motion passes, it would spell the end of Macron’s retirement reform plan and force the government to resign, a first since 1962.
President Emmanuel Macron (Via Emmanuel Macron/Twitter)
The French government has argued that the pension reform is necessary to make the economy more competitive and to keep the pension system from go into deficit. However, the protests and public opposition to the plan have made it clear that Macron’s decision has not been popular. Left-wing and far-right politicians are determined to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion, while the Republicans have stated that they will not back the motion.
The debate over the pension reform has highlighted the challenges facing France, including lower birth rates and longer life expectancy. The country is not alone in facing these challenges, as many richer nations are grappling with similar issues. The protests and public opposition to the pension reform have made it clear that Macron’s decision has not been popular, and the outcome of the no-confidence motion will be closely watched by France and the international community.
