French court approves pension reforms

 

The French constitutional court approved a controversial pension reform bill to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 years.  Following the ruling, the government of President Emmanuel Macron could enact the legislation as early as next week.  The court struck down some parts of the reform, including measures to increase employment rates for older workers, on the grounds that they shouldn't be part of a social security budget bill. French labor unions and opposition parties oppose the pension reform, and polls show that two-thirds of the French public reject the planned increase in the retirement age. In recent weeks, protesters have taken to the streets across the country to express opposition to the reform. French police are reportedly expecting ~10,000 people to attend anti-reform protests in Paris on Friday night. The court also denied a request by opposition politicians calling for a citizens' referendum on the reforms.