To avoid a potential political setback, a strategic compromise is being considered. Parties close to President Emmanuel Macron want to block the passage of a bill aimed at repealing the unpopular pension reform. On Wednesday, they moved to prevent this initiative from being discussed and voted on in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, with the focus of the Social Affairs Committee on keeping the current retirement rules intact. The proposal sought to raise the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64, contingent on 43 years of contributions to qualify for a full pension.
Despite the largest wave of protests in this era, the centrist government insisted in March that the retirement age would rise. The measure, tied to controversial Article 49.3 of the Constitution, was not brought to a vote in the lower house. In response, a small opposition bloc known as LIOT filed a bill to repeal the reform. Seizing an opportunity from a parliamentary niche held by a coalition of centrist and regional representatives from Corsica and Brittany, the vote was scheduled for 8 June.
The outcome of such a vote remains uncertain. Macron’s camp lacks an absolute majority in the Assembly, with Republicans (LR and their allies) holding 61 seats—the fourth power in the Lower House. Their stance is divided on pension reform. Faced with the possibility of a majority supporting repeal, which would mark a clear setback for the Executive, parties allied with Macron appear prepared to do whatever it takes to block the vote.
Macron calls it “unconstitutional”
Wednesday marked the initial move in this direction. The House Social Affairs Committee voted against the main article of the bill repealing the pension reform, 38 in favor and 34 against. Following this decision, the LIOT group could reintroduce the item with changes next week, though it would still depend on the National Assembly president, Yael Braun-Pivet, to decide whether to place it on the agenda.
“There should be no discussion on this item. It is clearly unconstitutional,” Braun-Pivet asserted on Tuesday. Macron’s camp argues that repealing the raising of the minimum retirement age would generate an additional cost of 18,000 million euros. However, the LIOT proposal contemplates a special tobacco tax and a forum on pension financing. In substance, it doesn’t differ dramatically from other opposition bills, but the core difference lies in Macron’s determination to close the chapter on pension reform. This stance has pushed his presidency into one of its most severe internal crises.
“Danger for democracy”
Blocking the bill could rekindle public anger. A survey by Elabe, released in partnership with BFM TV, indicates that 71% of French citizens want the text discussed and voted on repeal, while 61% express support for it. Critics accuse the government of using constitutional tools to speed debates and silence unions. Mathilde Panot, leader of the France Insoumise parliamentary group, accused the presidency of threatening democracy. The Social Affairs Commission debate on Wednesday grew tense, with deputies from the left-wing coalition NUPES walking out as the presidency restricted discussion on proposed amendments.
Alongside Article 49.3, the government has used multiple legal mechanisms to accelerate parliamentary debates and compensate for union pressure. Opinion polls show growing perception that reform is being imposed despite strong opposition from unions and a majority of French voters. The unity of the single-issue unions has warned that anger will escalate if the government continues to push through rules by force. June 6 is expected to bring new demonstrations and nationwide strikes across the country, as workers mobilize to challenge the reforms.