French government survives no-confidence motion

A tripartisan, no confidence motion was supported by 278 MPs. It was submitted by a centrist party, and other parties. This vote is nine short of the 287 required for it to succeed.

The far-right National Rally (RN) had a second motion of no confidence that was defeated by other opposition parties.

A no-confidence vote would have defeated the government and ended the legislation that raised the retirement age two years to 64.

Macron will feel relieved by the outcome, but there are still significant headwinds.

One, his failure to get enough support from parliament to vote on his pension reform has hampered his reformist agenda. It also weakens his leadership.

Analysts at Barclays said that the government would not be removed, but it would be "significantly weakened." However, social protests against reforms would likely continue for a few weeks which could adversely affect the French economy.

Unions and protesters were angry at the reform, and the fact that it was not voted on, and they said they would continue to strike and protest.

Helene Mayans of the CGT union said, at a Paris rally, "We'll be meeting again on Thursday."

Violent unrest has broken out across the country, and trade unions have pledged to increase their strike action. This leaves Macron facing the most serious challenge to the authority he has faced since the "Yellow Vest Uprising" over four years ago.

On Thursday (23 March), a ninth national day of strikes or protests will be held.

The Constitutional Council could also challenge the bill by opposition parties, and it may decide to strike it down - if it believes it violates the constitution.

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