Home » Europe, Protests, Social » French Senate Passes Controversial Pension Reform Raising Retirement Age Despite Mass Protests

French Senate Passes Controversial Pension Reform Raising Retirement Age Despite Mass Protests

Posted by EU Times on Mar 14th, 2023 // No Comment

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The pension reforms suggested by President Emmanuel Macron have received approval from the upper house of the French parliament. Many segments of society have vehemently opposed the plans, which include raising the retirement age.

According to AFP, 195 senators supported the ideas late on Saturday, while 112 opposed them. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne called the vote a “essential moment” in the process. An important section of the measure had already been passed by senators on Thursday.

A combined committee of MPs from the lower and upper houses is now anticipated to assess the reform proposal on Wednesday. If there is a final draft, it will then be presented for a vote in both houses later in the week.

According to French media, a constitutional provision known as article 49/3 makes it possible for Macron’s administration to pass the law even without a vote.

According to Macron, the government will guarantee the financial viability of the French pension system by extending the retirement age from 62 to 64. He claims that the alternatives include “decreasing pensions, increasing taxes, or making our children and grandkids shoulder the financial load.”

The reform, with original proposals calling for the pension age to be raised to 65, was one of the focal areas of Macron’s presidential campaign last year.

Many unions made unsuccessful attempts to get the president to back off the measures last week.

Hours before Saturday’s election, hundreds of thousands of protestors flocked to the streets of France to express their rage.

Police in Paris made 32 arrests as protestors threw items at police and set fire to garbage cans during the estimated 48,000-person turnout.

Strikes are also happening in several of France’s important industries, such as waste management, transportation, and energy.

On Wednesday, further protests around the country are anticipated.

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Read More Stories About: Children, Elisabeth Borne, Emmanuel Macron, France, French Parliament, Paris, Pensions, Retirement Age, Senate

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