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French Government Faces No-Confidence Vote Over Pension Age Increase
The French government is set to face a no-confidence vote on Monday after Emmanuel Macron used executive powers to increase the state pension age from 62 to 64. The controversial decision, made last week, was prompted by concerns that the government could not garner enough votes in parliament for the pension changes. This has sparked widespread anger, leading to further strikes and protests across the country.
Opposition politicians have filed two no-confidence motions in response to the government’s use of executive powers. However, the motions are seen as unlikely to pass, as they would require an unprecedented alliance of all the opposition parties. In addition, some politicians have reported receiving hundreds of threatening emails a day, and several MPs have had their constituency offices vandalised.
The protests are similar to those that sparked the gilets jaunes anti-government protests four years ago. A poll in the Journal du Dimanche on Sunday showed that Macron’s popularity has dropped to its lowest level since the gilets jaunes protests.
Trade unions are continuing to mobilise against the pension changes. A day of nationwide industrial action, which will affect trains, air travel, and schools, is scheduled for Thursday. There are concerns that high-school exams could be affected by staff strikes.
The government has defended its decision, with Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire telling Le Parisien that the reform must be implemented. While there is a right to demonstrate, he added, “violence cannot be tolerated”.
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Key points:
- The French government faces a no-confidence vote on Monday over its decision to use executive powers to raise the state pension age from 62 to 64.
- The decision has sparked widespread anger and led to further strikes and protests across the country.
- Opposition politicians have filed two no-confidence motions, but these are seen as unlikely to pass without an unprecedented alliance of all the opposition parties.
- Trade unions are continuing to mobilise against the pension changes, and a day of nationwide industrial action is scheduled for Thursday.
- The government has defended its decision, stating that the reform must be implemented.
