Pension Reform in France Sparks Controversy
France Reacts to Constitutional Council’s Approval of Pension Reform
The French government’s controversial pension reform has caused a stir in the country, with politicians expressing their views on the decision of the Constitutional Council to approve the main lines of the bill. Members of the opposition parties have denounced the reform as unfair and illegitimate, with Mathilde Panot, Member of Parliament from the Unyielding France (LFI) party, stating that the decision of the Constitutional Council is indicative of a dying regime. The former presidential candidate from the LFI party, Jean-Luc Melenchon, also emphasized that the fight against the reform will continue.
Meanwhile, the far-right National Unity (RN) party’s ex-presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen, asserted that the people have the last word, and urged them to prepare for change that will lead to the withdrawal of the referendum, which she described as «unfair.» The Communist Party of France (PCF) has called on the people to take to the streets on May 1, following the council’s decision.
On the other hand, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne stated on Twitter that the reform bill completed its democratic process, but there were neither winners nor losers this evening. The government reportedly plans to enact pension reform this weekend, despite the ongoing mass demonstrations throughout the country.
The leading unions of the country reacted to the decision of the Constitutional Council by expressing support for strikes and protests against the reform and calling for all employees to take action on May 1. The unions have also stated that they will not accept any meeting request from the government until then.
Since March 16, France has experienced violent protests across the country, with clashes between the police and the demonstrators. More than 1,000 people have been detained during these demonstrations. The opposition and government had applied to the Constitutional Council to determine whether the reform was constitutional. The Council approved the article of the draft law that increased the retirement age to 64 but rejected, wholly or partially, the six articles on reform.
