Labour reforms: Govt faces no-confidence vote

The French government is facing a vote of no confidence after forcing through a controversial labour reform bill. Protests over the bill have broken out across France, with more expected as parliament votes on Thursday. Unions and student groups have blocked roads and barricaded schools in the western cities of Nantes and Rennes. The opposition […]

The French government is facing a vote of no confidence after forcing through a controversial labour reform bill.
Protests over the bill have broken out across France, with more expected as parliament votes on Thursday.
Unions and student groups have blocked roads and barricaded schools in the western cities of Nantes and Rennes.
The opposition needs 288 votes for the no-confidence motion to succeed, but they are thought to be around 40 votes short of that total ahead of the vote.
Some lawmakers within President Hollande’s own Socialist Party are expected to vote with the motion, in protest as what they see as legislation that is too pro-business.
The new law will affect the power of the labour unions, the rules on firing staff, and the length of the working week – among France’s most cherished icons.