Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Saturday, Jun 21, 2025

Chaos erupts in French parliament as Macron bypasses vote and forces through controversial pensions bill

Chaos erupts in French parliament as Macron bypasses vote and forces through controversial pensions bill

The president angered left-wing politicians after invoking special constitutional powers to pass the pensions bill, which he said is needed to ensure the system does not go bust.

There have been rare chaotic scenes in the French parliament as President Emmanuel Macron used special powers to push through an unpopular pensions bill which aims to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.

Boos and chants from opposition politicians were heard in the national assembly (the lower house) as left-wing MPs sung lines from the national anthem in reaction to the news that the legislation could pass without the need for a vote.

The move by the government has also sparked fierce reaction by the public. Around 7,000 people demonstrated against the proposed pension changes in an unplanned rally on the Place de la Concorde in Paris - across the river Seine from the assembly.


Police used tear gas as protesters gathered in Paris


Police fired tear gas and used a water cannon to disperse protesters, while officers who charged groups of demonstrators had cobble stones thrown at them, according to a Reuters reporter.

One police officer was helped by colleagues after appearing to be injured and falling to the ground.

The decision to invoke the special power - article 49.3 - was made during a cabinet meeting at the presidential palace, just minutes before the scheduled vote, as Mr Macron had no guarantee of securing a majority in the assembly.


He argued the reforms were essential to ensure the pension system does not go bust, as the age and life expectancy of the population increases.

But the move is expected to trigger motions of no-confidence in his government.

Earlier on Thursday, the senate (upper house) adopted the bill by 193 votes to 114, a tally that was largely expected since the conservative majority there backs the reforms.

As the prime minister, Elisabeth Borne, tried to formally announce the special procedure in the assembly, some left-wing politicians held up placards reading "no to 64 years", while far-right leader Marine Le Pen called for her to resign.

Other opposition politicians emerged from parliament to demand the government steps down.

The disruption led to the speaker briefly delaying the parliamentary session to try and restore order.



Students in Paris shout slogans during a protest against the government's plan to raise the retirement age to 64.


The move was called "a spectacular failure" by Jean-Luc Melenchon, the leader of left-wing party France Insoumise (France Unbowed).

"This bill has no parliamentary legitimacy, no legitimacy from the street," he said at a protest outside parliament.

Opinion polls show a vast majority of voters oppose the pension reforms, as do trade unions, who argue that there are other ways to balance the pension system account.

Socialist Party leader, Olivier Faure, earlier said the bill could unleash "uncontrollable anger" following weeks of rolling strikes and protests that have affected power production, blocked some shipments from refineries, and seen litter pile up on Paris streets.

Uncollected litter in Paris


For a no-confidence motion to be adopted, it needs to be approved by at least half the seats in the lower house - that is currently 287.

If such a motion was successful, the government would have to resign.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
×