(CN) - Facing defeat in a parliamentary vote, French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday triggered a so-called "nuclear legislative weapon" to force his contested pension reforms into law without the National Assembly's approval.

The move to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote sets up a new showdown after opposition parties called for a no-confidence vote, putting at risk the government of Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne.

Shortly before the National Assembly was set to vote on the reforms, the government announced it was triggering article 49.3, a constitutional device that allows the executive branch to pass legislation without the consent of parliament.

Borne was greeted with boos, jeers and calls to resign from the opposition when she appeared before the National Assembly to explain the government's reasoning for using article 49.3.

"We cannot gamble with the future of our retirement," she told the chamber.

Opposition leaders decried the use of the "nuclear option" as undemocratic and trade union leaders said they would continue nationwide strikes that have disrupted travel, closed refineries and left trash to pile up in the streets of Paris.

Since he first came to power in 2017, Macron has failed to overhaul France's pension system due to determined opposition and mass demonstrations. Polls show more than 60% of French are opposed to raising the age of retirement.

The battle over pensions has become a crucial test of strength for Macron, far-left and far-right opposition parties and French trade unions, which have seen their influence and importance decline in recent decades.

This is a developing story ....

Courthouse News reporter Cain Burdeau is based in the European Union.

Source: Courthouse News Service