French President Emmanuel Macron signs controversial pension reforms into law

French President Emmanuel Macron officially promulgated the controversial pension reforms into law on Saturday. Macronsigned into law the bill raisingthe country’s retirement age by two years, showed the official journal, after France’s constitutional court approved the widely unpopular pension reforms.

Despite theapproval by the constitutional court, the unions vowed to oppose the changes, including raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.The French court on Friday approved President Emmanuel Macron's controversial pension reform plan to raise the retirement age. The decision was validated by the nine-member Constitutional Council after almost three months of protests across the country.

The council was of the view that the government's actions were in line with the constitution and that the retirement age should be raised.

According toreports, the court rejected six minor proposals, which included forcing large companies to publish data regarding how many employees above 55 were working for them and creating a special contract for older workers.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Additionally, the council rejected a proposal put forth by the leftist parties which sought to organise a referendum on the pension reform.

Stage set for another round of clashes

The decision, however, has set the stage for another round of protests from the opposition as well as the common citizens.Unions made it clear that they were organising mass protests for Labour Day on May 1, while some cities saw violence erupt after the verdict was declared.

French hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melencho vowed that the fight against Macron's reform plan would continue despite the court's decision.

"The fight continues and must gather force," said Melecho, leader of the France Unbowed (LFI) party.

ALSO READ |France pension reform verdict LIVE: Court approves key elements of Macron's proposed plan

The police are anticipating over 10,000 people to gather in Paris late on Friday night to protest the decision. Aspersions have also been cast over leftwing radicals attempting to vandalise the streets and engage in violent clashes.

At the height of the protests, over 1.3 million had taken to the streets. After the court's decision, in a last-ditch attempt, French trade unions released a joint statement urging Macron to not sign the legislation.

"Given the massive (public) rejection of this reform, the unions request him solemnly to not promulgate this law, the only way to calm the anger which is being expressed in the country,"

WATCH |Emmanuel Macron wins pension reform backing from French upper house

The Macron government is of the view that extending the pension age will prevent the French service system from collapsing under the weight of deficits.

Notably, the workers in France tend to retire much earlier than their European Union (EU) counterparts. The direct repercussion is that the French exchequer has to foot a bigger pension bill than most countries in the bloc.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: