Macron Goes Alone

French President Emmanuel Macron's government invoked a special provision of France's constitution yesterday to bypass parliamentary votes on a proposal to increase the country's retirement age to 64 by 2030. The pension overhaul plan has been met with weeks of nationwide protests (see photos).

The bill passed France's Senate yesterday and was due for a vote in the National Assembly, the lower house of France's parliament. To avoid potentially having it voted down, administration officials invoked a constitutional provision that allows Macron to circumvent the legislature (see 101)—but also allows opponents the chance to call for a no-confidence vote. If such a vote passed, the bill would be scrapped and the Macron government must resign (otherwise, the bill will become law).

Polls suggest around 60% of the public oppose the proposed reforms, which were a pillar of Macron's reelection campaign. Macron, who is 10 months into his second five-year term, also no longer has a majority in parliament.