Pension revolt in France… ‘Macron approved at midnight like a thief’

The opposition in France reacted to the controversial pension reform bill signed by President Emmanuel Macron and published in the evening Official Gazette.

French politicians, who learned that the controversial reform was published in the evening Official Gazette, criticized Macron’s decision from their social media accounts.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, a former presidential candidate for the left-wing France Insoumise (LFI) party, said: “Macron wanted to intimidate all of France overnight. The thief of life! he used his statements. Melenchon described Macron’s move as “an absurd display of arrogance”.

LFI MP Francois Ruffin shared the view that “Emmanuel Macron and his gang passed the pension law at midnight like thieves because they know full well that what they are doing is democratic robbery.”

Marine Tondelier, National Secretary of the Green Party (EELV), commented that enacting the reform overnight was a provocation. Tondelier stated that the country is more fragmented than ever.

The EELV deputy, Sandrine Rousseau, assessed that Macron’s decision endangered democracy in the country and accused the government of irresponsibility.

In a written statement from the General Business Union (CGT), it was commented that with this step by Macron, he despised millions of people who did not want reforms.

THE PLAN THAT UP THE COUNTRY

Massive demonstrations broke out in France on March 16, following the government’s decision to pass the bill, which includes raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, without a vote. Violence is taking place in many parts of the country between the police and protesters, who have violently intervened in the demonstrations.

More than 1,000 people have been detained in protests across the country since March 16.

The opposition and the government had asked the Constitutional Council to determine whether the reform was constitutional. The Council approved yesterday the article of the bill that raises the retirement age to 64 years, and totally or partially rejected article 6.

The French took to the streets to protest the Council’s decision across the country and more than 100 people were arrested in the demonstrations in Paris.

The bill was signed by Macron and published in the Official Gazette. (AA)