French Senate approves divisive pension reform

(RT) ⸻ French labor unions have vowed to put pressure on the government after senators on Thursday voted in favor of raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. The controversial amendment to France's pension system was approved in a 201 to 115 vote after a week of deliberations in the conservative-dominated Senate. Liberal politicians have voiced their frustration after the result, with some arguing that the reform will "set the clock back almost 40 years." Unions have vowed to stage protests and strikes in opposition to the bill, leading to major disruptions. Nearly 1.28 million people took part in the nationwide protests on Tuesday and Wednesday, and unions are now calling for a new day of nationwide demonstrations on Sunday. French President Emmanuel Macron has insisted that the reform is "essential" due to projected deficits in the system over the next 25 years. However, the reform has proven deeply unpopular among the public, with almost 60% supporting protests against it.