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France labour reforms: Government faces no-confidence vote France labour reforms: Government survives no-confidence vote
(about 3 hours later)
The French government is facing a vote of no confidence after forcing through a controversial labour reform bill. France's government has survived vote of no confidence put forward by the opposition in protest over controversial labour reforms.
Protests over the bill have broken out across France, with more expected as parliament votes on Thursday. The motion, brought by the centre-right party Les Republicans, garnered 246 votes, shy of the 288 needed to defeat the reforms and topple the government.
Unions and student groups have blocked roads and barricaded schools in the western cities of Nantes and Rennes. Thousands of people marched through Paris as the vote took place, to protest against the proposals.
The opposition needs 288 votes for the no-confidence motion to succeed, but they are thought to be around 40 votes short of that total ahead of the vote. They will now be debated in France's Senate.
Some lawmakers within President Hollande's own Socialist Party are expected to vote with the motion, in protest as what they see as legislation that is too pro-business. The controversial proposals, backed by Prime Minister Manuel Valls and President Francois Hollande, sparked ongoing and sometimes violent street protests across France, and fresh protests are now planned for next week.
The new law will affect the power of the labour unions, the rules on firing staff, and the length of the working week - among France's most cherished icons. Unions and student groups have so far blocked roads and barricaded schools in the western cities of Nantes and Rennes.
The government argues that it needs to make the labour market more flexible in order to create jobs. The opposition was expected ahead of the vote to be around 40 votes short of the required total.
Some lawmakers within President Hollande's own Socialist Party were expected to vote with the motion, in protest as what they see as legislation that is too pro-business.
French labour reform bill - main pointsFrench labour reform bill - main points
Busting the myth of France's 35-hour working weekBusting the myth of France's 35-hour working week
The changes make it easier for employers to hire and fire, but opponents fear they will also enable employers to bypass workers' rights on pay, overtime and breaks.The changes make it easier for employers to hire and fire, but opponents fear they will also enable employers to bypass workers' rights on pay, overtime and breaks.
Mr Hollande chose to push through the reform legislation without parliamentary approval, using special executive powers, after months of resistance. The government argues that it needs to make the labour market more flexible in order to create jobs.
The tactic has only been used once before during his presidency, again to push though disputed economic reforms. Mr Hollande chose to push through the legislation without parliamentary approval, using special executive powers, after months of resistance.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls was booed by MPs from the far left and the conservative opposition when he announced the cabinet's decision to the National Assembly. The law can only be defeated if a no-confidence vote is held and lost by the government - in which case the cabinet is forced to resign.
"Pursuing the debate in parliament would pose the risk of... abandoning the compromise that we have built," he said. The tactic has only been used once before during his presidency, again to pass disputed economic reforms.
The only way the bill can now be stopped is by the vote of no confidence.
Demonstrators outside the National Assembly on Wednesday called for President Hollande to resign and protests continued into the night.Demonstrators outside the National Assembly on Wednesday called for President Hollande to resign and protests continued into the night.
Police used tear gas against protesters in Grenoble and Montpellier, reports from social media say. There were also demonstrations in Lille, Tours and Marseille.Police used tear gas against protesters in Grenoble and Montpellier, reports from social media say. There were also demonstrations in Lille, Tours and Marseille.
In Toulouse two young protesters were injured in clashes with police, according to Le Parisien (in French).In Toulouse two young protesters were injured in clashes with police, according to Le Parisien (in French).