French lawmakers seek to bring down government as pension row rages on

A placard reading "Macron, take your retirement, not ours" is seen outside the Institute of Political Studies in Lille, northern France, on March 17, 2023. AFP - SAMEER AL-DOUMY

Two French opposition groups, a broad centre-left coalition and the far-right National Rally, have separately filed motions of censure against the government of Elisabeth Borne. The two texts call for the French equivalent of a no confidence vote. Should either motion succeed, the government will be overthrown.

Borne on Thursday invoked article 49.3 of the constitution to impose the pension overhaul by decree, sparking angry demonstrations nationwide. Police used tear gas in several confrontations, and 310 people were arrested, according to the interior ministry.