© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: People react amid tear gas during clashes at a demonstration as protester gather on Place de la Bastille as part of the 12th day of nationwide strikes and protests against French government’s pension reform, in Paris, France, April 13, 2023.
By Elizabeth Pineau and Tassilo Hummel
PARIS (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron’s flagship pension reform passed a crunch constitutional test on Friday and can now be promulgated in the coming days.
The legislation, which pushes the age at one can draw a full pension to 64 from 62, is deeply unpopular in France and has triggered huge protests.
But in what will be a major relief to Macron and his government, the country’s Constitutional Council gave its green light.
The Council said the government’s actions were in line with the constitution and approved raising the legal retirement age.
Macron and his government hope such an outcome would discourage further trade union-led protests, which have at times turned violent.
“The country must continue to move forward, work, and face the challenges that await us,” Macron said earlier this week.
But hardline unions and the opposition have warned they will not back down and have urged Macron not to promulgate it.
Protesters gathered outside Paris City Hall, holding banners reading “climate of anger” and “no end to the strikes until the reform is pulled” when the Constitutional Council’s verdict was announced.
Separately, the Constitutional Council rejected a proposal by the opposition to organise a citizens’ referendum on the pension reform.
The opposition has tabled another bid for a referendum, which should be reviewed by the Council early May.
Political observers say the widespread discontent over the government’s reform could have longer-term repercussions, including a possible boost for the far right.
