French President Emmanuel Macron arrives to attend the National Roundtable on Diplomacy on the Foreign Ministry in Paris on March 16, 2023.
Michel Euler | Afp | Getty Images
The federal government of French President Emmanuel Macron narrowly survived a no-confidence vote Monday evening, as furious opposition lawmakers contested his decision to force changes to the pension system through parliament with no poll.
The vote of no-confidence against the federal government was rejected by just nine votes (278 voted in favor, greater than expected). Two no-confidence motions had been filed — one by a coalition of centrist and left-wing parties, and a second by the far-right National Rally. The latter now has no likelihood of going through.
Analysts had already told CNBC on Friday that Macron’s opponents were unlikely to achieve the required 287Â out of 577 votes.
The vote could have led to the resignation of Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who announced the federal government’s intention to make use of the special constitutional measure to pass the long-standing plan to lift the retirement age.
Because the no-confidence vote has failed, the bill will now likely undergo and lift the retirement age of most employees from 62 to 64 by 2030.
Members of parliament of the left hold placards and sing the Marseillaise, French national anthem, as French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne arrives to deliver a speech on pensions reform bill on the National Assembly in Paris, France, March 16, 2023.Â
Pascal Rossignol | Reuters
A poll published by Elabe on Monday found that 68% of respondents wanted the no-confidence vote to pass, 68% thought that Borne should resign if the motion fails and 69% believed that using the constitutional measure, called Article 49-3, was a denial of democracy.
Opponents say that the changes will negatively impact women, public sector employees and other people on lower pay. In addition they argue that the federal government is prioritizing businesses and people who find themselves highly paid over average laborers.
Staff have been carrying out industrial motion for the reason that start of the yr, with such moves ramping up in March.
Refineries across the country have been been on rolling strikes for 13 days, while industrial motion by garbage collectors has led to trash piles build up around Paris.
Transport employees and teachers have also held strikes. Unions have vowed to proceed motion and called for widespread strikes on Thursday. A whole lot of individuals have been detained, as hundreds have marched in protest across the country.
