French President Emmanuel Macron broke his silence Wednesday to outline the way forward after the government survived a no confidence motion in parliament over a pensions overhaul that has caused widespread public unrest.
In an interview broadcast live on television, Macron defended his policy to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, arguing that a government move to force the bill through parliament by decree was both legitimate and democratic.
He said he hoped the legislation would be implemented by the end of the year after its examination by the Constitutional Council.
A protest by thousands of people Tuesday had "no legitimacy" against "the people who express themselves through their elected officials", he added. While protesters had a right to take to the streets, resorting to violence was not acceptable.
Macron confirmed he was prepared to accept unpopularity as a consequence of imposing the reform.
"Given a choice between opinion polls in the short term and the general interest of the country, I choose the general interest of the country," Macron said.
First public remarks
Macron was speaking publicly for the first time since the pensions bill was adopted last week, and on the eve of a ninth day of major nationwide strikes and protests.
In a bid to justify the need for reform to balance France's pay-as-you-go pensions system, Macron added: "When I entered working life there were 10 million retirees. Today there are 17 million. In the 2030s, there will be 20 million."
Over-investment in the pensions system, Macron said, would come at the cost of investment in public services including schools and the health sector.
"This deficit means chooing to make your children pay," Macron said.
Constitutional clause
Last week Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne triggered article 49.3 of the constitution that allows the government to bulldoze legilsation through parliament without a vote.
In his TV interview, Macron said Borne still had his confidence as to lead the government.
Macron’s Renaissance party was further plunged into crisis when a multiparty confidence motion on Monday came within nine votes of toppling the government and killing the pensions law altogether.
More than 200 people were arrested across the country when spontaneous protests broke out hours after the vote.
Public opposition
Polls show that most French people oppose the reform, which raises the retirement age from 62 to 64, and the move to bypass parliament – which many see as undemocratic.
Opposition lawmakers have vowed to force the government into a political U-turn.
The left has filed a court request for a public referendum to overturn the reform and appealed to the Constitutional Council – a body charged with ruling on the constitutionality of new laws before they can be implemented.
Borne has already said she would refer the reform to the Constitutional Council for an examination "as soon as possible".
The future of the PM, appointed France's second female premier by Macron after his election victory over the far right, remains in doubt after she failed to secure a parliamentary majority for the reform.
Meanwhile trade unions have called a day of nationwide strikes and protests for Thursday.
