French Constitutional Council approves Macron's controversial pension reforms

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – Despite broad public opposition in polls, France’s highest constitutional authority on Friday upheld controversial pension reforms championed by President Emmanuel Macron.

The French Constitutional Council finished its review of the reform bill, which includes raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030.

The council rejected a demand by left-wing lawmakers that the changes face a public referendum.

The government unveiled the reform proposal in January and it was taken up for parliamentary debate the following month, even as millions took to the streets to oppose the reforms.

Workers and trade unions, among others, vehemently oppose the reforms.

Unrest intensified when Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, after consulting with Macron, decided to use special constitutional powers to adopt the bill without parliamentary approval on March 16.

The decision was driven by fear that lawmakers would be able to block the reforms as the government lacks an absolute majority in the legislature.

Amid months of protests, French police were accused of making arbitrary arrests and using excessive force against demonstrators.