Macron uses special powers to force through controversial pension reform

Chaotic scenes in parliament as radical left MPs sing the Marseillaise at the top of their voices to drown out prime minister

The French government has used controversial special constitutional powers to force through a rise in the pension age amid chaotic scenes in parliament in which radical left MPs sang the Marseillaise at the top of their voices to stop the prime minister, Elisabeth Borne, speaking.

The president, Emmanuel Macron, took a last-minute decision to avoid a parliamentary vote and instead push through his unpopular plan to raise the pension age from 62 to 64.