Macron's Legal Loophole Disrupts French Lifestyle

Presently, Emanuel Macron is public enemy number 1 for all French workers across the country. His choice to change the retirement age from 62 to 64 has caused many citizens in the country to revolt. Thousands have marched across the streets to show their disapproval; public transport workers have stopped working ( hence some lines not functioning ) along with teachers and garbage collectors joining the movement. Many say that the chaos in Paris almost looks like ‘The French Revolution 2.0.’ France’s work culture is different to many countries’. It places huge importance on good working conditions, good quality of life and early retirement…all with the expense of paying high taxes. France’s previous retirement age of 62 was low compared to many European countries. Why has Macron made this controversial move?

In 2019, he proposed a plan to streamline the country's complex pension system and create a single, universal points-based system. France has experienced demographic changes. The population is aging. There are more and more older people and comparatively fewer workers to fund government pensions. By changing the number from 62 to 64, the country will experience a number of economic benefits: the labor force participation rate will increase ( more people will work to contribute to the economy-thus helping address labor shortages) and reduce pension costs ( people will receive pension benefits for fewer years). But how angry are people with the French President?

Furious public reactions have left Macron unpopular and weakened. Up to 10,000 tonnes of trash are piled up in the streets of Paris. In the most popular songs, those which usually are tourist attractions, are infested with rats and stench of garbage. Many bags are blocking the doorway to houses impeding people to live peacefully. Anger is felt in all facets of life. No one seems to be on board with this change.

Many wonder how he was able to pass this bill in the first place.

Macron resorted to using special constitutional powers to push his plan to raise the retirement age from 64 to 62. In France’s Senate, the plans were passed but had to go through a National Assembly vote in the lower house-were a majority approving was improbable. Instead, Article 49.3 of the French Constitution was enacted. ‘The dictatorial and flawfull aspect of democracy’ according to many. Subsection 3 of the article allows the government to force a passage of a bill without a vote unless the parliament votes a motion of no confidence. Consequently, politicians are now likely to request that vote. Marine Le Pen’s right National Rally and the left wing France Unbowed have said they will do so. However , such a vote has little chances of passing, since it may also entail teh dissolution of the legislature pending new elections. How does this damage the government’s image?

This shows that the government does not have a majority to approve a two year postponement of the legal retirement age. Politicians have failed to listen to the people, the workers who uphold the functioning of the entirety of the nation.