With 195 votes in favor and 112 votes against, the French Senate on Saturday approved President Emmanuel Macron’s unpopular pension reform proposal. The bill’s main provision is a two-year increase in the retirement age to 64.
After a seventh day of national protests against the proposal, the French Parliament’s upper house voted on the text. According to opinion surveys, the bulk of voters are against the text.
The measure will now be examined by a joint committee of lower and upper house lawmakers, most likely on Wednesday, after the Senate approved it.
Thursday would most probably witness a final vote in both the houses, however, this would happen if the committee approves the text. Also, to have the reform fully passed, the ruling party of Macron would need allies’ votes for a majority in the lower chamber, the National Assembly.
Emmanuel Macron still has one way of passing the bill bereft of any fear of a consensus vote in the parliament, that is the 49:3 procedure. The government would take up the option if it lacks any support from the lower house.
The protestors have planned a nationwide demonstration for Wednesday.
