French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to impose his deeply unpopular pension reform, bypassing the country's parliament, showed his weakness. Politico writes about it.

“The show of strength also shows a weakened president who, having lost his majority in parliament and amid low ratings, was unable to turn the tide in public opinion in France,” the article says.

The publication notes that although the French Constitution allows the authorities, under certain conditions, to bypass parliament, the use of this opportunity in France is increasingly seen as undemocratic against the backdrop of social tensions and growing distrust of politicians.

Politico predicts that Macron's government will "have to endure several no-confidence votes" in the near future. The Macron government has faced votes of no confidence in the past, but this time the stakes are much higher.

Earlier, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Born announced that the government had decided to raise the country's retirement age from 62 to 64, bypassing Parliament.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the opposition right-wing National Rally party in the French parliament, has announced her intention to pass a vote of no confidence in the French government led by Prime Minister Elisabeth Born amid her decision on the controversial pension reform.

Reuters believes that French President Emmanuel Macron felt that the financial and economic risks of inaction on pension reform are too great, and special constitutional powers are needed to implement it.

On March 11, protests were held throughout France against raising the retirement age. Almost 370 thousand people took part in them.