Macron bypasses parliament to pass controversial retirement age bill.

French President Emmanuel Macron has raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 by invoking a special constitutional power, shunning parliament and prompting motions of no-confidence in his government. The proposed pension changes have sparked major strikes and protests across the country since January. Macron argued the reform is needed to keep the pension system from diving into deficit as France’s population ages and life expectancy lengthens. The decision to invoke the special power was made during a Cabinet meeting at the Elysee presidential palace, just a few minutes before the scheduled vote, because Macron had no guarantee of a majority in France’s lower house of parliament.