Macron survives but strife continues
PARIS: Emmanuel Macron’s French government has survived two no-confidence motions in parliament, but still faced intense pressure over its handling of a controversial pensions reform.
The outcome prompted immediate anti-government protests, with 101 people arrested in Paris in tense standoffs between protesters and security forces, police said.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne incensed the opposition last week by announcing the government would impose the pension reform without a parliamentary vote, sparking accusations of anti-democratic behaviour.
The opposition filed two motions of no confidence in the government as a result. The 577-seat National Assembly lower house rejected the first motion -brought by the centrist LIOT coalition and supported by the left -- by nine votes, much narrower than expected.
It then overwhelmingly rejected a motion brought by the far-right National Rally (RN) with just 94 votes in favour.
The rejection of the motions means the reform to raise the pensions age from 62 to 64 has now been adopted by law.
“I am determined to continue to carry out the necessary transformations in our country with my ministers and to devote all my energy to meeting the expectations of our fellow citizens,” Borne said.
Protests erupted in the centre of Paris with protesters setting fire to bins and clashing with police who used tear gas to clear some areas.
A new round of strikes called for Thursday are expected to again bring public transport to a standstill, while a rolling strike by rubbish collectors in Paris has left unsightly and unhygienic piles of trash accumulating in the capital.
Macron has argued the pension changes are needed to avoid crippling deficits linked to France’s ageing population.
Opponents say it places an unfair burden on low earners, women and people doing physical jobs. Polls show two thirds of French people oppose the changes.