French opposition withdraws bill to restore retirement age to 62 years. Move comes after two days of nationwide strikes against the law raising the retirement age.
Parliament Speaker Yael Brune-Pive says bill is unconstitutional because there are no financial allocations to cover the cost. French Labour Minister Olivier Dosso said the opposition's proposal was "nihilistic and empty" The new retirement law is due to come into force in early September, and the French government justifies it by deteriorating pension fund finances and an aging population.