France, March 17 -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday faced intensified protests and accusations of anti-democratic behaviour after pushing through a contentious pension reform without a parliamentary vote. On Thursday, thousands gathered outside parliament to protest the government's move.

Using the constitutional clause known as 49.3, the government bypassed the need for a parliamentary vote on legislation which has provoked bitter resistance across the country.

"We can't take the risk of seeing 175 hours of parliamentary debate come to nothing," Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne told MPs as she announced the move amid jeers and boos from opposition MPs, who also sang the national anthem.

Aurelien Pradie, an MP with right-wing ...