The Constitutional Council of France will decide whether pension reform rammed through the legislature by President Emmanuel Macron is legal – Photo: Michel Euler/AP

France’s highest constitutional court will rule on the pension reform law today.

The ruling will come after weeks of protests over French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. Despite intense backlash, Macron has refused to change course, arguing that the move is necessary to avoid deficits that have been exacerbated by the energy crisis and COVID spending. If the Constitutional Council rejects the law, Macron would be unable to appeal the decision. If they approve the law, or at least most components of it, Macron will implement it. Should this occur, protests are expected to continue for several weeks, though in a weaker sort, as the moderate trade unions have said they would accept the Council’s decision and withdraw from the protests.

Though the Council often takes into consideration public opinion, it will likely approve most of the pension law. If so, it would be enforced on September 1. Regardless of the outcome, Macron’s approval rating has dwindled which would largely affect him for the remainder of his second term. By the 2027 presidential elections, swing voters will likely move their support to the party of Macron’s former opponent, populist candidate Marine Le Pen.