French left-wing MPs ask for referendum on controversial pension reform

PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 4: Members of the French parliament on Tuesday visited the presidency to ask for withdrawal of the pension reform.A group of left-wing MPs went to the Elysee Palace, to meet President Emmanuel Macron's cabinet director and submit a letter.The MPs in the letter asked for the withdrawal of the pension reform bill, local media reported on Monday, after the revelation of the letter.Following the meeting, MPs told journalists that they expressed their concern over the rise of violence in the country, and the lack of democracy, according to Anadolu correspondent on the ground.They also called the president to take measures to get out of this crisis, and to allow the French to speak through a referendum.The cabinet director will transmit those messages to the president, the MPs also said.The director also added that everyone must wait for the constitutional council's final decision on the bill, which will be revealed on April 14."This means that we must keep mobilizing as strong as possible, and be as crowded as possible on Thursday," MP Fabien Roussel said, recalling that nationwide strikes and demonstrations are planned that day. (Footage by Mohamad Salaheldin Abdelg Alsayed/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)