In the early hours of the morning, French President Emmanuel Macron signed into law a pension reform bill, which has been met with massive protests across France. The controversial move has sparked outrage among trade unions and demonstrators, who have taken to the streets of Paris to voice their opposition. Despite widespread opposition, the government passed the bill without a vote, prompting further unrest in a country deeply divided over social and economic reforms. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind the protests, the impact of the reforms on various groups, and the potential consequences of Macron’s decision to push ahead with the pension reforms.
On Thursday, French police used water cannon to disperse a spontaneous protest that took place on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. The demonstration saw around 6,000 students and trade unionists gather to protest against President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to pass his controversial pension reform by decree. Macron’s move to bypass parliament and implement the reform without a vote has been met with anger and frustration from a large section of the French population, with polls consistently showing that two-thirds of the population reject the reform.
The protest started as a peaceful demonstration, with some protestors playing music, but as it grew, it became increasingly strident. Demonstrators faced riot police protecting the National Assembly. “It’s going to blow,” some chanted. The Concorde metro station was closed, debris was set on fire and an attempt was made to raise barricades.
Protests against what Macron’s critics term a violation of democratic principles occurred in other French cities as well. The alliance between students and trade unionists was reminiscent of the May 1968 revolution. The reform will raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne had insisted that she would hold a vote on the reform. A bi-cameral commission of 14 deputies and senators agreed on a text on Wednesday. Macron summoned party leaders to the Élysée for last-minute consultations. However, when it became obvious that the law was not certain to pass, Macron held an emergency cabinet meeting where he asked Borne to invoke article 49.3 of the constitution, which permitted the reform to be passed by decree.
“My political interest and my political will were to go for a vote,” Macron reportedly told his cabinet. “But I consider that in the present state of things, the financial and economic risks are too great.”
Deputies in the National Assembly have until Friday afternoon to file no confidence motions. A vote is likely to be held early next week. The far-right leader Marine Le Pen has already announced that she will put forward a motion. A small independent party known as Liot is also preparing a motion, which will be supported by the left-wing coalition Nupes. However, it is unlikely that the government will fall since half the 577-strong assembly would have to vote for the same no confidence motion.
Public anger over the reform is likely to be expressed in the street and in the ballot box. Macron’s entourage say he is haunted by the fear he could be succeeded by the far right. The use of article 49.3 has been criticised by many, with three-quarters of respondents to a poll published on March 15th saying that government recourse to the article would be unacceptable.
Laurent Berger, the leader of France’s largest trade union CFDT, has condemned the use of violence, but he adds that “There is profound resentment in the world of labour.” Deputies from the far-left party France Unbowed joined the demonstration, and François Ruffin, an LFI deputy, said: “We already had an Emmanuel Macron who crushed working France. Today we have an Emmanuel Macron who is crushing democracy.”
On Wednesday night, the prefect of Paris, Laurent Nunez, announced that he would requisition rubbish collectors who have been on strike for 10 days. An estimated 7,000 tonnes of garbage line the streets of Paris, adding to the city’s woes. The pension reform has been the subject of heavy criticism and resistance, with millions participating in strikes and eight national protest days since January 19th.
