French PM ignores tight pension vote, because reform is vital

PARIS, 16 March (Reuters) – France’s government bypasses a vote in Parliament over pension reforms because it did not have enough support for a fundamental reform.

A close aide to the prime minster said, “The prime minister… is doing so because she believes that this reform will be necessary to secure the future pension system.”

When Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne tried to read a statement in parliament she was stopped by left-leaning lawmakers. They sang the national anthem and booed her, while holding up messages that said ‘No to 64’ to refer to the increased pension age. Reporting by Elizabeth Pineau; Editing and editing by Richard Lough