Special power used to enact pension bill without vote

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France's government on Thursday invoked a special constitutional power to enact a contentious pension bill without a vote in parliament, in a risky move by President Emmanuel Macron.

The decision was made just a few minutes before the vote was scheduled because the government had no guarantee that the bill would command a majority at the National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament.

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The bill will raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, and is the flagship legislation of Macron's second term. The move is expected to trigger a quick no-confidence motion in Macron's government.

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