France's Constitutional Council Validates Retirement Age at 64

On April 14, France's Constitutional Council deemed pension reforms legal, thereby confirming an increase in the retirement age. This was reported by BFM.

“The Constitutional Council has approved the retirement age of 64,” the media stated via its Twitter page. The demand by left-wing parties to hold a referendum on the issue has been rejected.

Fearing possible unrest, the Paris police prefecture has prohibited any protests near the courthouse, which was already filled with garbage early Thursday morning. Nevertheless, on Friday, more than 130 protests are expected to take place across Paris and the rest of France.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the parliamentary group of France's National Rally party, was among the first to criticize the court's decision. She wrote on her Twitter feed that “the political fate of pension reforms is not yet determined.”

The law to raise the retirement age was adopted by parliament without a vote on March 16. The following day, the opposition LIOT group brought forward a motion of no confidence against the government. Mass protests have occurred in various cities across France.

The reform entails raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. The transitional period will gradually increase the retirement age starting from September 1, 2023, reaching 64 by 2030.