France pension protests: Clashes after Macron orders rise in pension age without vote

After the French administration opted to push through pension reforms without a vote in parliament, police and demonstrators fought in Paris. In response to the retirement age increase from 62 to 64, crowds gathered in Place de la Concorde.

Two months of vehement political debate and strikes had been provoked by the plans. The government may now avoid a vote in the Assembly by using article 49:3 of the constitution, according to Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne.

There was no assurance of securing a majority, therefore the decision was made just minutes before MPs were due to vote on the contentious law. Politicians from the opposition were incensed by the action. At parliament, many booed the prime minister, performed the Marseillaise, and displayed protest signs.

Mathilde Panot, the leader of the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI), stated that Mr. Macron has thrown the nation into a government crisis without the support of either the parliamentary or popular parties.

The national anthem was sung and union flags were waved as thousands of people protested the decision in the streets of Paris and other French cities. As dusk fell, several demonstrators and police engaged in combat. The Plaza de la Concorde was set on fire, and police with shields and batons moved to clear the area while firing tear gas into it.

According to the Paris police, 120 persons had been detained by evening.

Despite the fact that Mr. Macron ran for reelection last year on a platform of retirement reforms, his ruling coalition lacks a majority in the Assembly, making Republican support for the pension changes necessary.

In an effort to approve their plan, representatives from Mr. Macron’s Renaissance party spent the morning frantically cajoling lawmakers. Because to the bill’s obvious unpopularity and the knowledge that some of their MPs may abstain, they turned to extraordinary constitutional authorities.

But, whenever a government uses the 49:3, it may be sure that it will be immediately accused of trampling on the people’s will. In fact, it has been used precisely 100 times in the more than 60 years of the Fifth Republic, and by governments of all shades.

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