French Pension Reform Heads for Final Vote Amid Massive Strikes and Protests

A final version of the French government’s controversial pension reform that since the start of the year has set off massive protests and strikes in France is to be put to a vote in both houses of the French parliament. A joint commission of Senators and MPs agreed on a final draft of the bill on Wednesday, and both houses are set to vote Thursday on the legislation, which would raise the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64. The bill is likely to pass in the Senate, but in order for it to pass in the National Assembly, which…