French government survives no-confidence motion for pension plan: nine votes short of motion | Abroad

278 MPs out of 573 voted in favor of the motion, so 287 votes are needed for a majority. With nine votes too few, the motion that was deemed most likely did not pass. The deputies now have to vote on the second motion that has no chance of being passed. The pension reform will then be considered as finally approved by parliament after tonight.

The continued existence of President Macron’s government thus seems to be secured and the raising of the retirement age can continue, as the government wanted. If the motion is lost, the cabinet of Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne would have to resign. Also, the pension plans would automatically be off the table.

,,Pooh, I’m glad!”, says Bernard (69), computer scientist. “The French want all sorts of things, but work: go ahead!” He is standing in front of the terrace of bar-tabac L’Obligado, near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. “I am completely tired of these protests against pensions. Now everything can go back to normal. Look around you: The subways are not running. The garbage piles up. The French should roll up their sleeves!”

Margot (16), a student, shakes her head. “I wish this government could be sent home. The government has really pushed through those retirement plans. Parliament has simply been ignored by President Macron. But it’s about us, about ordinary people, isn’t it? Then it should be voted on democratically, right?

Sophie (61, manager) nods disapprovingly. “The resignation of the government would only lead to more chaos. Look at how long the country has been on strike. And then also a government crisis. That’s not good for anyone.”

The no-confidence motions were tabled in protest against the pension reforms. President Macron wants to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. A large majority of the French are against this, polls have shown for months. There was also insufficient support in parliament.

Macron therefore decided last week to implement the reforms without a vote in parliament. This caused much anger among the French. And it was the reason for the opposition to table the no-confidence motions.

In the French House of Representatives, the Assemblée, negotiations were held in the corridors until the last minute. The proponents of the motions tried to persuade doubters to vote.

Members of parliament were intimidated and threatened outside the Assembly. Party colleague Agnès Evren of President Macron was sent death threats, she showed on Twitter: ‘Shut up, you have to be under the guillotine, your head is going to come off’, were texts she received.

The vote in the Assembly followed two months of actions, strikes and demonstrations. People across the country took to the streets en masse. On January 19, a first national day of protest was organized by all major trade federations. Last Wednesday was the eighth day of action and next Thursday will be the ninth.

The turnout was almost always huge, often with 1 to 2 million participants. The pension protests were among the largest actions of the last 50 years in France. In recent days, the actions have changed character. When the government decided to implement the pension reforms without allowing parliament to vote, anger among the French increased.

There were spontaneous protests, not organized in advance by the trade unions, and there were occupations of roads and tracks, for example. A striking number of young people also participated. All this led to more violent confrontations with the police. About 500 demonstrators were arrested in a few days. “We have warned the president about this. The situation is explosive,” said union leader Philippe Martinez of the CGT federation.