Sarkozy rushes to sign pensions reform into law

French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday declared that he has “saved” the French pensions system by forcing through an unpopular reform, which he signed into law overnight.

Reuters/Philippe Wojazer

“With this law our pensions system is saved,” Sarkozy told a Wednesday morning meeting.

After weeks of protests, France’s constitutional court approved the reform, saying no to a claim by Socialist and other opposition parties' claim that it breaches the principle of equality.

Sarkozy lost no time signing it into law. He sees the reform as the most important of his mandate.

However, the court ruled that 13 articles of the reform of workplace healthcare, which were unconnected to the main bill and added on as amendments, were unconstitutional.

Unions have called a new day of action on 23 November, which is likely to include demonstrations and some strikes, in a bid to revive weeks of protests.

Sarkozy is expected to reshuffle the governing team in the next few days.