The French prime minister, Manuel Valls, has invoked a constitutional measure to force through contested labour laws, bypassing parliament. “This country is too used to mass unemployment,” Valls told parliament as many members booed and several walked out of the chamber. A poll published last week found that 73% of French people said they would be “shocked” if the government used the 49-3 provision for the final passage of the measures. The prime minister said more than 800 amendments had been added to the legislation after “a quality debate”, but a “coalition of immobility” had held up the reform drive aimed at reducing unemployment. It is the second time the government has used the 49-3 provision for this package of measures because it could not count on the votes of the left flank of the Socialist party in parliament.

Source: The Guardian July 05, 2016 14:48 UTC