The French government has survived two no-confidence motions over controversial pension plans. This means that the pension reform is formally proceeding.
A vote of no confidence was the only option to halt the plans, after Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne pushed through the reform on March 16 before the House of Representatives. But the opposition failed to do so.
The most promising motion, by the smaller Liot parliamentary group, narrowly failed. It took 287 deputies to pass the motion. 278 voted in favor. A second motion, presented by the radical right Marine Le Pen, did not stand a chance. This motion was rejected by a margin of 94 votes.
Go out
In the event that one of the motions passed, the Borne government would have to resign. Retirement plans would also automatically be out of the question.
It remains to be seen how the French people will react to the confirmation of the pension reform. The retirement age will be raised from 62 to 64 from September. Hundreds of people gathered in front of the parliament after the votes. They chanted that President Emmanuel Macron should step down. In Place Vauban, near the parliament, protesters allegedly set fire to rubbish bins.
Protests
Correspondent Eveline Bijlsma expects more unrest now that the vote has failed. “Since Thursday – since Macron implemented the plans – there have been illegal demonstrations in the evening,” Bijlsma said. “Tonight I expect it to go wild again. Thursday is a big day of action by the unions and the big question is how this will play out.
Little is certain, but there’s a chance the protests will get grittier and bigger, he thinks. “You should note that eight out of ten French people disagree with what Macron is doing,” says Bijlsma. “But that doesn’t mean they’re all taking to the streets or that the whole country is in turmoil.”
Source: BNR
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