France in Turmoil Over Pension Reform

The French parliament has refused to vote on President Emmanuel Macron's executive decree to hike the retirement age, blocking any check or balance by the legislative branch. The judiciary also refused to challenge the decree, while unions held 15 million person marches against the unpopular pension law. The use of the 49.3 executive decree and repression of the yellow vests have led to calls for a sixth republic. The government's neoliberal agenda of austerity has sparked anger and protests, but citizens are being told to wait until the next election in 2027 to make their voices heard.