Backing from the right-wing opposition Republicans party (LR), which holds 61 seats, ensured the vote to bring down the government was a failure.
Although President Emmanuel Macron’s camp has no absolute majority in the lower house, it still forms the largest parliamentary group. In order for a motion to garner the 287 votes needed to pass, all of the opposition needed to unite to make up those numbers.
Last Thursday’s decision to force the reform through parliament by triggering article 49.3 of the constitution – a move widely seen as undemocratic – led to angry protests over the weekend and calls for further strikes.
Ahead of the no-confidence vote Monday, which was held behind closed doors, MPs in the National Assembly locked horns in fierce debate.
Charles de Courson, France’s longest-serving MP, denounced the “denial of democracy” as he presented the Liot group’s motion to the chamber.
“Nothing forced you to use 49.3. Courage and respect for French institutions should have led to a [parliamentary] vote,” he said.
“You would have very likely lost the vote – but that are the rules of a democracy.”
Meanwhile Socialist Party MP Boris Vallaud denounced “a coup against reason”, accusing the Prime Minister of a reform that was “crippled with lies”.
French president, government remain defiant on pensions ahead of crucial votes