French President Emmanuel Macron faces his biggest challenge yet.

The government of President Emmanuel Macron's invoked of a controversial executive power to force the passage of a bill by decree – which is legally valid under the French constitution – has sparked outrage among the political class as well as angry street protests.

Now, the 45-year-old leader faces one of his biggest challenges, less than a year into his second and final term.

Macron had hoped that the effort to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 would solidify his legacy as the president who transformed the French economy in the 21st century. In reality, he has found his leadership challenged, both in the French parliament and on the streets of major cities.

Macron's move on March 16 to use the constitutional power of the government to pass the pension reform bill without a vote by lawmakers has angered the political opposition and could hinder his government's ability to pass legislation in the remaining four years of its term.

The French leader has remained silent on the subject ever since. However, a source close to the French president told AFP on the evening of March 18 that he was "monitoring developments."

Credit ratings plummet.

The political crisis in France surrounding the government's pension reform plan has been reflected in President Macron's declining approval ratings, according to a new poll published on March 19.

Thousands of people took to the streets in various cities across France. Photo: Brussels Times

According to a monthly poll by the Ifop polling institute, Macron's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since the beginning of 2019, when the Yellow Vest protests ended.

The poll, conducted from March 9-16, showed that only 28% of respondents were satisfied with Macron's administration, 4% less than the previous month, while 70% were dissatisfied.

Macron's approval rating has fallen by 13% since his re-election in May 2022. This figure hit a low of 23% in December 2018, the peak of the Yellow Vest protests.

Since becoming President of France in 2017, Macron has often been perceived as arrogant and aloof. Considered the “President of the rich,” he sparked outrage when he told an unemployed man he just needed to “cross the street” to find work, and implied that some French workers were “lazy.”

Now, Macron's government has become even more distant from ordinary people by using the special authority it has under Article 49.3 of the French Constitution to impose an unpopular change, said Brice Teinturier, deputy director-general of the Ipsos polling institute.

The only winners in this situation are far-right leader Marine Le Pen and her National Rally (NR) party, and French labor unions, Teinturier said. Le Pen lost to Macron in the final rounds of the country's two most recent presidential elections.

As the piles of garbage grew larger and the stench intensified, many in Paris blamed the government for the situation, rather than the striking workers.

Uncollected trash near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, March 14, 2023. Photo: AP/People's World

Macron has repeatedly stated that he believes the French pension system needs reform to maintain its financial viability. He has argued that other proposed options, such as increasing the already heavy tax burden, would push investments further away, and that reducing pensions for existing retirees is not a practical alternative.

Public discontent could heavily influence his future decisions. Spontaneous protests, sometimes turning violent, have erupted in Paris and across the country in recent days – a stark contrast to the largely peaceful demonstrations and strikes organized by France’s major unions in the past.

The options are at hand.

Macron's re-election for a second term last April solidified his position as a key leader in Europe. He campaigned on a pro-business agenda, pledged to address pension issues, and said the French must “work longer.”

Last June, Macron's centrist coalition lost its majority in the French Parliament, although it still held more seats than other political parties. At the time, he said his government wanted to “legislate in a different way,” based on compromise with a range of political groups.

Since then, conservative lawmakers have agreed to support a number of bills that align with their policies. But tensions over pension plans and widespread distrust between ideologically diverse parties could end efforts to find a compromise.

Left-wing lawmakers held up signs protesting the increase in the retirement age to 64 and sang the French national anthem as the French Prime Minister prepared to speak to the French Parliament on March 16, 2023. Photo: DW

On March 17, Macron's political opponents in the French Parliament submitted two no-confidence motions against the government of Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. Government officials are hoping to survive the vote on the motions, scheduled for March 20, amid a divided opposition.

However, if the proposal is passed, it would be a major blow to Macron: the pension bill would be rejected and his Cabinet would have to resign. In that case, the French President would need to appoint a new Cabinet and would find his ability to pass legislation weakened.

If the no-confidence motions fail, Macron could enact legislation setting a higher retirement age while simultaneously attempting to appease his critics with a government reshuffle. This leaves the French Prime Minister's future uncertain.

Another option at President Macron's disposal is to dissolve the French National Assembly and call for early elections.

That scenario seems unlikely at this point, as the unpopular pension plan means Macron's coalition is unlikely to win a majority. And if another party wins, Macron would have to appoint a Prime Minister from the majority party, empowering the government to pursue policies different from the President's priorities .

Minh Duc (According to AP, Anadolu Agency, France24)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/tong-thong-phap-emmanuel-macron-doi-mat-thach-thuc-lon-nhat-a598695.html