French government survives 2 no-confidence votes
The government triggered special constitutional powers last Thursday to push through the controversial legislation to raise the age of retirement from 62 to 64 for most workers, sparking a wave of protests and strikes across the country.
By Dalal Mawad, Oliver Briscoe, Chris Liakos and Jack Guy | CNN
Two no-confidence votes against French President Emmanuel Macron’s government have failed in the country’s parliament, clearing the way for his hugely unpopular pension reforms to be implemented.
The first motion received 278 votes, just nine short of the 287 majority needed to pass.
It was brought forward by the small parliamentary group “LIOT,” which represents various small parties, and was seen as the most likely of the two to threaten the government.
The second one — tabled last week by far-right party National Rally — drew less support, with only 94 lawmakers voting in favor.
The government triggered special constitutional powers last Thursday to push through the controversial legislation to raise the age of retirement from 62 to 64 for most workers, sparking a wave of protests and strikes across the country.
Yet while the government has now survived the motions against it, the anger against the reforms shows no sign of ending.
This is a breaking story. More to follow.