Retirement age increase imposed

Faced with the likelihood of a parliamentary defeat over its plan to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64, the French government has imposed the measure using a clause in the constitution that allows it to enact legislation without parliamentary support.

From 10 January, when the measure was first presented to parliament, the government consistently argued that it wanted to win parliamentary backing for its plans.

However, without a majority after the parliamentary elections in 2022, president Emmanuel Macron was forced to rely on the votes of other parties.

On 16 March, he realised this could not guarantee a parliamentary majority and used his powers, under Article 49.3 of the French constitution, to have the legislation adopted without further debate.

This can only be reversed by a successful motion of censure in the government and, as the motion of censure failed by nine votes, the law increasing retirement age has been passed.

This does not mean that opposition to the pension changes has ceased. The unions, who see the government’s plans as particularly penalising those with fewer qualifications — who generally start work earlier and have more physically demanding jobs — have maintained a common position.

They organised a ninth day of action on 23 March, following a day of protest on 7 March when 1.3 million people took to the streets. There have also been ongoing strikes in some industries.

However, what happens in the longer term remains unclear.