French PM to use special powers to bypass parliament on labour reform

France 24, and other news sources, reported on the 10 May 2016 that France's government would empower Prime Minister Manuel Valls to bypass parliament and push through controversial labour reforms by decree despite widespread public demonstrations against the bill.

On the 12 May 2016 France’s Socialist government faced a vote of no confidence in the French lower house over its decision to force through the labour reforms. This was after Socialists party members had narrowly failed to trigger a no confidence vote of their own on the 11 May 2016.

In the event the government survived the vote of no confidence. Trade unions and students took part in further demonstrations of protest in Paris and other French cities.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 10.05.16: French labour reforms: Government to force plan through http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36259120

ESO: Background information: Dozens of police injured, scores arrested at French labour protests http://www.europeansources.info/record/dozens-of-police-injured-scores-arrested-at-french-labour-protests/

ESO: Background information: Is It Possible to Reform France? http://www.europeansources.info/record/judy-asks-is-it-possible-to-reform-france/

The Guardian, 10.05.16: François Hollande pushes through labour bill with special decree http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/10/francois-hollande-pushes-through-labour-bill-with-special-decree

The Local.fr, 10.05.16: France forces through labour bill without lawmakers vote http://www.thelocal.fr/20160510/france-to-force-through-labour-bill-without-mps-vote

Euro|Topics: Debates, May 2016: France boxes job market reform through parliament http://www.eurotopics.net/en/158916/france-boxes-job-market-reform-through-parliament

Politico, 10.05.16: Manuel Valls tries to ram controversial labor law through parliament http://www.politico.eu/article/manuel-valls-tries-to-ram-controversial-labor-law-through-parliament/

BBC News, 12.05.16: France labour reforms: Government survives no-confidence vote http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36279257

France24, 12.05.16: French government survives no-confidence vote over divisive labour reforms http://www.france24.com/en/20160512-french-government-survives-no-confidence-vote-over-divisive-labour-reforms

The Local.fr, 12.05.16: Police and protesters clash again in French cities http://www.thelocal.fr/20160512/protests-turn-violent-over-frances-labour-reform-bill

Politico, 12.05.16: François Hollande faces violent backlash over labor bill http://www.politico.eu/article/francois-hollande-faces-violent-backlash-over-labor-bill-france-socialist-parliament/

Euro|Topics: Debates, May 2016: Paris pushes through job market reform http://www.eurotopics.net/en/158916/paris-pushes-through-job-market-reform

France24, 18.05.16: French president stands firm on labour reforms amid new protests http://www.france24.com/en/20160518-french-president-won-budge-labour-reforms-despite-day-protests

The Local.fr, 19.05.16: French PM urges 'harsh' penalties for anti-cop violence http://www.thelocal.fr/20160519/french-pm-urges-harsh-punishment-over-anti-police-violence

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