Opposition parties said they would request a vote of no confidence in the government, which will be voted on in the coming days, possibly on Monday.
Archiv: Elisabeth Borne
The French parliament saw chaotic scenes after President Emmanuel Macron‘s unpopular plan to reform the country‘s costly pension system was pushed through without a vote
Protests erupt as French government forces through higher retirement age
The pension reform bill passed the French Senate earlier on Thursday, but was not expected to pass the National Assembly – the lower house of the country’s parliament – where lawmakers were due to vote this afternoon.
The session was stopped early for Borne’s announcement. Lawmakers erupted into chaotic scenes as she explained the government’s decision, fighting to be heard as lawmakers sang French national anthem “La Marseillaise” and others held signs reading “No to 64 years.”
French President Macron overrides parliament to pass retirement age bill
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday resorted to using special constitutional powers.
The pensions overhaul has been met with widespread protests and strikes across France.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne announced to the assembly that the government would trigger Article 49.3 of the French Constitution.
Protests in Paris as Macron forces through controversial pension reform
But the government was unsure of the vote numbers in the National Assembly, forcing French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne to announce the triggering of Article 49.3.
The decision runs the risk of further inflaming the protests and strikes that have rocked France over the last months. It also gives the opposition the right to immediately call a confidence vote in parliament.
The opposition reacted with fury to the decision to avoid a vote after weeks of debates on the legislation.