French MPs visit presidency, ask to withdraw pension reform

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – Members of the French parliament on Tuesday visited the presidency to ask for the withdrawal of the pension reform.

A group of left-wing MPs went to the Elysee Palace, to meet President Emmanuel Macron's Cabinet director and submit a letter.

The MPs in the letter asked for the withdrawal of the pension reform bill, local media reported on Monday, after the revelation of the letter.

Following the meeting, MPs told journalists that they expressed their concern over the rise of violence in the country, and the lack of democracy, according to an Anadolu correspondent on the ground.

They also called on the president to take measures to get out of this crisis, and to allow the French to speak through a referendum.

The Cabinet director will transmit those messages to the president, the MPs also said.

The director also added that everyone must wait for the constitutional council's final decision on the bill, which will be revealed on April 14.

"This means that we must keep mobilizing as strong as possible, and be as crowded as possible on Thursday," MP Fabien Roussel said, recalling that nationwide strikes and demonstrations are planned that day.

- Gov't willing to dialogue

Government spokesperson Olivier Veran in a news conference on Tuesday said the government awaits the constitutional council's decision.

"We are willing to dialogue, listen, and work together," he said, ahead of the meeting scheduled between Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and the trade unions on Wednesday.

- Pension reform plan, source of popular furor

The government revealed the reform project in January and the parliament started examining and debating the draft bill the following month.

Workers and trade unions have since expressed growing outrage by holding demonstrations and walkouts against the reform which includes raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030 and requiring at least 43 years of work to be eligible for a full pension.

Political and social tension rose when Macron and Borne decided to use special constitutional powers – Article 49.3 – on March 16 to force the plan through without parliamentary approval.

The decision was driven by fear that lawmakers would be able to block the reforms as the government does not hold an absolute majority in the legislature.

Protests then turned violent when violent groups infiltrated the parades across the country, and police were criticized for arbitrary arrests and disproportionate use of force.

* Umit Donmez in Paris contributed to this story.