02:58France: 'This is just the beginning' - Pension protests continue in Paris as govt narrowly survives no-confidence motions
Protests against pension reform continued in Paris on Monday, as demonstrators were joined by politicians, after the government narrowly survived two no-confidence motions.
"This is just the beginning. We have a completely illegitimate government and obviously, we have to keep up the pressure," said Green MP Charles Fournier.
Footage also shows Elsa Faucillon from the Communist Party, as well as Louis Boyard, Alma Dufour and Clementine Autain from the left-wing La France Insoumise.
"Dissent must be manifested through numbers and numbers must make themselves heard with strikes and demonstrations, this is absolutely necessary," said Autain.
Overturned rubbish bins were seen on fire in the street, with riot police running and activists holding signs such as 'Democracy in Danger'.
Earlier that day, French lawmakers narrowly rejected a no confidence motion by just nine votes. A second, introduced by the right-wing 'National Rally', also failed to pass by a much larger margin.
"The no-confidence motion was rejected by very few votes, and above all, I see that there is a popular majority against this reform," said Faucillon. "There was not even a majority in parliament because if there had been a majority on the reform, the government would not have passed it by decree.”
The motions were put forward after the government decided to force its plan to raise the retirement age, from 62 to 64, through the National Assembly without a vote last Thursday.
While it passed in the upper house, the Senate, President Emmanuel Macron’s administration used the executive power with numbers in the lower house making the vote too close to call.
Demonstrations took place across the country, with more expected in the coming days and weeks. The government argues the reform is needed to ensure the affordability of the pension system in the coming years.
02:58Protests against pension reform continued in Paris on Monday, as demonstrators were joined by politicians, after the government narrowly survived two no-confidence motions.
"This is just the beginning. We have a completely illegitimate government and obviously, we have to keep up the pressure," said Green MP Charles Fournier.
Footage also shows Elsa Faucillon from the Communist Party, as well as Louis Boyard, Alma Dufour and Clementine Autain from the left-wing La France Insoumise.
"Dissent must be manifested through numbers and numbers must make themselves heard with strikes and demonstrations, this is absolutely necessary," said Autain.
Overturned rubbish bins were seen on fire in the street, with riot police running and activists holding signs such as 'Democracy in Danger'.
Earlier that day, French lawmakers narrowly rejected a no confidence motion by just nine votes. A second, introduced by the right-wing 'National Rally', also failed to pass by a much larger margin.
"The no-confidence motion was rejected by very few votes, and above all, I see that there is a popular majority against this reform," said Faucillon. "There was not even a majority in parliament because if there had been a majority on the reform, the government would not have passed it by decree.”
The motions were put forward after the government decided to force its plan to raise the retirement age, from 62 to 64, through the National Assembly without a vote last Thursday.
While it passed in the upper house, the Senate, President Emmanuel Macron’s administration used the executive power with numbers in the lower house making the vote too close to call.
Demonstrations took place across the country, with more expected in the coming days and weeks. The government argues the reform is needed to ensure the affordability of the pension system in the coming years.