Protest against raising the pension age. Photo credit: Al Jazeera
Sapna Suresh
The America-Eurasia Center
America-Europe Program
www.EurasiaCenter.org
America-Eurasia Business Coalition
www.usebc.org
Over one million people protested in France over President Macron’s planned pension reforms to increase the age from 62 to 64. 1 The protests have been ongoing since January 2023 but have recently escalated. On Thursday, March 16, 2023, President Macron used the 49:3 clause in the French constitution to pass the law without the National Assembly voting.2 Paragraph 3 of Article 49 in the French constitution “allows the prime minister, “after deliberation by the Council of Ministers to force a bill through the Assemblée Nationale with no vote.” 3
The National Assembly has 24 hours to pass a notion of no-confidence. If it is accepted, the law passes. Otherwise, there would need to be new elections.4 In addition, prior French Presidents used article 49:3, such as Francois Hollande, due to the fierce political struggle with the Socialist Party in attempting to get a bill voted by the National Assembly.5 On Monday afternoon (Paris time), a no-confidence motion was put forward in the Parliament. However, it failed only by nine votes, allowing the law to take place.6 In France’s political history, only one no-confidence vote was successful, in 1962. However, the labor unions have insisted that they are not backing down on opposing the measure.
The far-left New Ecological and Social Popular Union (NUPES), planned mass protests, and insisted on using “all means” to overturn the reform.7 Due to the protests, only two of the fourteen metro lines in Paris operated. While protests had been taking place, Thursday marked the first day of coordinated action.8 Notably, the Bordeaux Town Hall was set on fire, while the government was hoping that the rising violence in the protests will dissuade more people from taking part.9 The labor unions have realized the risk of protests spiraling out of their control as well.
President Macron has defended this policy by arguing that there are more old people in France and fewer working-aged people. Compared to other countries in Europe, the retirement age is lower. 10 In addition, President Macron wants to check government spending and reduce the national deficit on par with the EU standard.11 When asked about whether he had any regrets in a television interview, Macron stated, “I don’t live with regret, I live with will, tenacity, engagement, because I love our country and people.” 12 However, the history of past French protests demonstrates that, eventually, the government will have to cave into some of the demands. Macron also emphasized, “between opinion polls and the national interest, I chose the national interest.” 13 However, Macron’s reaction risks making the situation worse. Jean-Francois Vilian, a retired insurance worker, claimed, “there’s money in France… Only it’s not in the hands of working people. We see financial companies making billions in profits, and they share very little of it.” 14 Previously, Macron threatened to dissolve parliament due to gridlock but has since backed down. In 1997, President Chirac dissolved parliament, but his party lost the majority. Even if new elections were to be called, it is highly likely that the far-right, led by Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (formerly
known as Le Fronte Nationale), would win the majority.15
Adding to the protests was the planned visit by King Charles to France as part of his first overseas visit to France and Germany. However, in a statement provided by Elysée and Buckingham Palace, the trip had been postponed.16 Parisian writer Stephan Clarke stressed that “normally the French would welcome a British king. But in this moment, people protesting are on high alert for any sign of privilege and wealth.” Initially, King Charles was planning to visit Versailles, but Clarke adds that “it does not look good. This seems very 1789. The opulent Versailles, once the dazzling center of royal Europe and a focal point of the French Revolution, is an enduring symbol of social inequalities and excess.” 17
The current protests in France reflect broader trends in French politics and society. Twenty-thirty years ago, people in France would advance within the same company if the work was good. However, today, many companies are not intending to hire people for life.18 In addition, President Macron’s popularity has declined ever since the gilets jaunes (yellow vest) protest movement in 2018, which was sparked after an increase in the fuel tax.19
In the June 2022 legislature elections, President Macron lost his parliamentary majority. In addition, Macron’s decision to use the 49:3 clause to pass the law illustrates the growing power of the presidency. Charles de Gaulle established this article to stabilize France, given its tumultuous history with change in governments in the aftermath of World War II.However, this decision has “pushed France into a political crisis — one that raises questions over the very architecture of the Fifth Republic and the extensive power it hands the head of state.”
While President Macron was elected in 2016 with much optimism and seen to mitigate the influence of the far-right, six years of government by the centre has eroded support. Opponents call him “le president des riches” (the president of the rich), given his decision to cut the wealth tax. More broadly, France’s centre left, and centre right parties have gradually been losing influence. “What is left is a contest between Mr. Macron and a cacophony of extremists on the left and the right.” In April 2023, France’s Constitutional Council struck down some elements of the new law, but keep the increase in the retirement age which is cherished by the French. The Council also refused a second chance for the opposition to seek a referendum to overturn the ruling. While Macron has accomplished what he set as his goal, it comes at a great political price, given his popularity has sunk in the polls.
Works Cited
1. Alexander Turnball, Nicolas Garriga, and Elaine Ganley, “Violent French pension protests erupt as 1M demonstrate,” AP News , March 23rd, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/france-protests-macron-
retirement-age- b734701860b2ab003bb9a1e3ff976505
2. Manuela López Restrepo, “What France’s revolt over raising the retirement age says about the attitude to work,” NPR , March 20th, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/03/20/1164705654/france-retirement-age-emmanuel-macron-no- confidence-vote-protest
3. Les Décodeurs, “French Constitution: How does Article 49.3 allow a bill to be passed without a vote,” Le Monde , October 19th, 2022, https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2022/10/19/france-how-does-
article-49-3-allow-a-bill- to-be-passed-without-a-vote_6001019_7.html
4. Ibid.
5. Associated Press, “How French government’s special power to impose a bill works,” AP , March 16th, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/france-pensions-special-constitutional-power-explained-8ac5128e6bec83129d952a458cbbef81
6. Manuela López Restrepo, “What France’s revolt over raising the retirement age says about the attitude to work,” NPR , March 20th, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/03/20/1164705654/france-retirement-age-emmanuel-macron-no- confidence-vote-protest
7. Cyrielle Cabot, “Protests, appeals, referendum: What’s next for France’s pension reform?” France 24, March 21st, 2023, https://www.france24.com/en/france/20230321-protests-appeals-referendum-what-s-next-for-france-s- pension-reform
8. Dalal Mawad, Aurore Laborie, Oliver Briscoe and Joshua Berlinger, “French airports, schools and oil refineries hit by national strike over pension age increase,” CNN , March 23rd, 2023,
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/23/business/france-national-strike-pension-reform/index.html
9. Andre Rhoden-Paul and Hugh Schofield, “Bordeaux town hall set on fire in France pension protests,”
BBC , March 23rd, 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65057249
10. Manuela López Restrepo, “What France’s revolt over raising the retirement age says about the
attitude to work,” NPR , March 20th, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/03/20/1164705654/france-
retirement-age-emmanuel-macron-no- confidence-vote-protest
11. “France’s Pension Reforms: Why is There so Much Opposition,” March 17th, Wall Stree t Journal ,
2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygM7Z6I9rBg
12. Paul Kirby, “French reforms: Macron refuses to give way as pension protests escalate,” BBC , March
22nd, 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65037507
13. Dalal Mawad, Aurore Laborie, Oliver Briscoe and Joshua Berlinger, “French airports, schools and
oil refineries hit by national strike over pension age increase,” CNN , March 23rd, 2023,
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/23/business/france-national-strike-pension-reform/index.html
14. Lisa Bryant, “Massive Protests, Strikes Continue as Opposition Digs In Against French Pension Reform,” VOA, March 23rd, 2023, https://www.voanews.com/a/massive-protests-strikes-continue-as-opposition-digs-in-against- french-pension-reform/7018904.html
15. Cyrielle Cabot, “Protests, appeals, referendum: What’s next for France’s pension reform?” France 24, March 21st, 2023, https://www.france24.com/en/france/20230321-protests-appeals-referendum-what-s-next-for-france-s- pension-reform
16. Pierre Bairin, Max Foster and Lauren Said-Moorhouse, “King Charles state visit to France postponed amid violent pension protests,” CNN, March 24th, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/24/europe/king-charles-france-state-visit- intl/index.html
17. Thomas Adamson, “No red carpet? French unrest impacts King Charles III’s trip,” AP News, March 23rd, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-france-protests-visit-ac1bf87b70138dc776173c72e4ecf0f1
18. Manuela López Restrepo, “What France’s revolt over raising the retirement age says about the attitude to work,” NPR , March 20th, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/03/20/1164705654/france-retirement-age-emmanuel-macron-no-confidence-vote-protest
19. The Economist, “Emmanuel Macron seems to be surrendering. Or is it tactical retreat?” The Economist, December 15th, 2018, https://www.economist.com/leaders/2018/12/15/emmanuel-macron-seems-to-be-surrendering-or-is-it- tactical-retreat
About The Author
