French government survives no-confidence motions

This means that the pension reform is now formally going ahead. A vote of no confidence was the only option to stop the plans, after Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne pushed through the reform on March 16 outside the House of Representatives. But the opposition has failed to do so.

The most promising motion, from the smallest parliamentary group LIOT, narrowly failed. It took 287 MPs to pass the motion. 278 voted in favour. A second motion, tabled by the party of the radical right-wing Marine Le Pen, did not stand a chance. This motion was defeated by a difference of 94 votes.

In the event that one of the motions had passed, the government of Borne would have had to resign. The pension plans would also automatically be off the table.

Garbage cans set on fire

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 parliament after the votes. They chanted that President Emmanuel Macron should resign. At the Place Vauban, near the parliament, demonstrators are said to have set fire to rubbish bins.

Some parliamentarians are also not giving up the fight despite the result. Some members of the far-left party Nupes held up signs reading ‘on continue’.

Throughout France, there have been demonstrations and strikes against the pension reform in recent months. There have been eight national days of protest since January 19. In several cities there were confrontations with the police.

Strikes have taken place in education, railways and refineries and many members of parliament have been threatened. There was another strike on Monday, including transport and garbage collectors.

Macron already announced in his campaign for his re-election in 2022 that he wanted to raise the retirement age. The retirement age is a hot topic in France. The pension system is seen as a social right, also by young people.