French lawmakers approve 'spending power' bill to help with soaring prices

Volunteers with the French Red Cross charity hand out food packages to people in need in Ajaccio, Corsica in February 2022. Retirees with modest incomes are increasingly reliant on handouts. AFP - PASCAL POCHARD-CASABIANCA

France's divided parliament has passed a €20bn aid package to help low-income families deal with the cost of living crisis in the first major piece of legislation since elections last month deprived President Macron's allies of an absolute majority.

The vote in the early hours of the morning provided a boost for President Emmanuel Macron's centrist government, which is 39 seats short of a majority and was desperate to show it could build consensus.