Paris: On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron bypassed parliament and enacted a contentious pension reform package, sparking riots and arson on the streets of Paris. The decision, which raises the retirement age in France to 64, has already sparked months of strikes and protests.
Macron used a special constitutional power to pass the bill right before a vote was scheduled. As opposition lawmakers booed, jeered, and sang, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne announced the decision in the National Assembly.
The bill is considered passed under the power invoked by Macron and Borne unless a majority of lawmakers file a motion of no confidence against the government within the next 24 hours. Marine Le Pen, the leader of the right-wing National Rally party, stated that her party would support such legislation.
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Macron has been arguing for months that France's pension system will fail unless citizens contribute more funds. Raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, which would still result in French workers retiring earlier than the majority of their European counterparts, would be a "just and responsible" way to accomplish this, he said in January.
Trade unions in France have been protesting the reforms since last year, arguing that the system should instead be strengthened by raising taxes on the wealthy.
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As Macron's bill was passed, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Paris. Police fired tear gas at demonstrators and lined up against the crowd near the parliament buildings.
Rioters set fires and blocked roads throughout Paris, while masked protesters clashed with riot police.
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According to Interior Ministry figures, nearly 500,000 people protested in cities across France on Wednesday, prior to the bill's passage. According to a police source, 73 arrests have already been made in the capital.