France's Pension Reform Sparks Nationwide Protests and Political Turmoil

After surviving two no-confidence votes, French President Emmanuel Macron faces public outrage and constitutional appeals amid rumours of a dissolution of parliament, a change of government, and even a referendum on the new retirement measures. The far-left NUPES alliance has vowed to use "all means” at their disposal to defeat the despised pension reform, including mass protests, holding a public referendum, and appealing to the Constitutional Council. Trade unions are continuing nationwide strikes, and there are heightened fears of violence. French opposition lawmakers have other tools at their disposal to try to rescind the new pension law, including an appeal to France’s Constitutional Council and a public referendum.