French government faces make-or-break vote after pension reform uproar

The facade of the National Assembly is seen as protesters gather for a demonstration on Place de la Concorde in Paris after the French government pushed a pension reform bill through parliament without a vote, using Article 49.3 of the constitution, on March 16, 2023. © Thomas Samson, AFP

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Monday faces two motions of no confidence in the National Assembly lower house, after forcing through an unpopular pension reform last week without a vote. 

While her allies in President Emmanuel Macron's camp have the largest number of MPs, they do not control an absolute majority in the chamber — meaning they could be defeated if the entire opposition unites in one of the ballots, set for debate from 4 pm (1500 GMT).