Protests continue in France after approval of pension reform

Protests erupted again across France on Friday after the country’s constitutional court authorized an unpopular pension reform, spearheaded by the country’s president, Emmanuel Macron.

The government’s plans are to raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64, adding that some other articles in the bill have legal flaws.

As part of the decision, the Constitutional Council also turned down a first request by opposition lawmakers to hold a referendum on pension reform. A second last-minute request filed on Thursday to hold a referendum on the reform remains under consideration.

Although on a smaller scale than in previous days, protests continue across the country. Prior to the decision, heightened security was in place in Paris. There were no records of clashes.

Pension reform in France, where the right to retire on a full pension at age 62 is deeply valued, is always a highly sensitive issue and even more so in recent months with rising social discontent over the rising cost of living.

Macron’s government has said reform is needed to keep the pension system’s finances out of the red for years to come.

Macron is now expected to enact the law this weekend. Starting in September, the first retirees will have to wait another three months to receive their state pensions. With regular and incremental increases, by 2030 the retirement age will reach 64 years.

“I’m not surprised,” Louise, a 23-year-old lawyer, told CNN. “I think the board is a political tool, appointments are political.”

Opposition parties have signaled they will fight the plans.

Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon said the decision shows the council “is more attentive to the needs of the presidential monarchy than those of the sovereign people”, while far-right Marine Le Pen urged those opposed to to the changes that vote for her in the next elections.

(Posted by Fábio Nascimento)