Macron narrowly survives no confidence motion by just NINE votes as fresh riots break out in Paris
Emmanuel Macron has faced fierce backlash as violent protests broke out after a vote of no confidence
Reu
Emmanuel Macron has faced fierce backlash as violent protests broke out after his government narrowly survived a confidence vote over his pension reform plans.
Angry campaigners set rubbish bins on fire and chanted about the beheading of Louis XVI and Macron following the motion to bring down the government, which fell just nine votes short of passing.
Demonstrators were urged to take to the streets by opposition leaders and unions who vowed to escalate strikes ahead of another huge walkout on Thursday.
MPs from the hard-Left France Unbowed party shouted “Resign!” at prime minister Elisabeth Borne, moments after the failed bid to overthrow the government.
Demonstrators were urged to take to the streets by opposition leaders and unions
Reuters
Some also held placards that read: “We’ll meet in the streets” as the protests broke out close to the National Assembly.
Other demonstrations appeared in Dijon, Strasbourg, Bordeaux and Lillie where police fired tear gas to disperse crowds early into the evening.
The vote of no confidence failure means Macron’s controversial pension reform bill, which raises the age of retirement from 62 to 64, becomes law.
Jean-Luc Melenchon, France Unbowed’s leader, said that “there is no question of letting two years of life be stolen by nine voices”, as he referred to the key votes that kept Macron’s government afloat.
He added: “We must, by strike and by demonstration, obtain the withdrawal of the bill.”
Over the last three months, strikes have caused major disruptions to public transportation, air travel, sanitation services and schools, and caused petrol shortages with blockages at oil refineries across the country.
Prime Minister Borne tweeted: “We are coming to the end of the democratic process of this essential reform for our country.
“It is with humility and seriousness that I assumed my responsibility and that of my government.”
Over the last three months strikes have caused major disruptions across France
Reuters
Although the bill has been passed, opposition parties have already filed an appeal with the Constitutional Council, which could condemn parts or the entirety of the bill if it is deemed unconstitutional.
Some have also proposed triggering a referendum, which would require the support of at least 185 parliamentarians and one tenth of electors, or 4.87 million people.
Police forces were placed on high alert following four nights of violent street protests.
In Paris, officers blocked the bridge connecting Place de la Concorde to the National Assembly building with police vans and a water cannon truck.