Violent unrest has continued across the country after lawmakers failed to depose the government over the debated bill

The French government has survived two parliamentary no-confidence votes over President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to push through a controversial pension reform bill without lawmakers’ approval. The failed motions on Monday were followed by renewed violent unrest overnight.

The first no-confidence motion, tabled by a small group of opposition lawmakers, garnered significant support in the National Assembly, dominated by Macron’s centrist alliance. The motion fell just nine votes short of the 287 required to pass. The second motion, put forward by the right-wing National Rally party, was backed by only 94 lawmakers.

Despite failing to pass the motions, some opposition lawmakers urged the government to resign anyway. “The government is already dead in the eyes of the French,” left-wing MP Mathilde Panot said after the votes. “It doesn’t have any legitimacy anymore.” 

READ MORE: French MPs threatened with guillotine ahead of crucial vote

In wake of the no-confidence votes, France’s top police trade union, the SGP Police FO, warned that officers might no be able to contain the ongoing unrest. “We’re starting to run out of steam on the police side,” the union said, bemoaning the so-called “punch actions” by protesters, such as suddenly blocking roads and causing other disruptions.

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Le syndicat Unité SGP Police FO s'inquiète des "actions coups de poing" qui se multiplient dans le pays après le 49.3

"Les manifestants sont ultra-mobiles, se déplacent rapidement. On court un peu partout. Et on commence à pic.twitter.com/0ELxvRuM72

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Source: RT - Daily news