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March 17, 2023

Macron Pushes Through Pension Reform Despite Overwhelming Public Opposition
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Fresh protests erupted across France Thursday after President Emmanuel
Macron bypassed Parliament and invoked executive powers to push through
a highly contested law raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. Macron
took the drastic step after it appeared he might not have the necessary
support in the National Assembly. Lawmakers booed and sang the national
anthem while holding up protest signs, and signaled Macron could soon
face a no-confidence vote by opposition parties. Massive protests and
prolonged strikes have rocked France over the past two months as union
leaders vowed to keep up the disruptions. This is a teacher speaking
from Thursday's protests in Paris.

Olivier Chaibi: "It's proof that the president's party is a minority in
Parliament, but he is also a minority in public opinion. The
responsibility is on President Macron. After he refused to have dialogue
with the unions, he decided to pass this law by force. This law, which
is unfair and unpopular, will result in people working more to get
less."



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