On the 13th of may, France's Socialist government survived a no-confidence vote in parliament after pushing through a deeply controversial labour law that makes it a bit easier for employers to fire staff. After months of widespread street protests and strong opposition, the divisive bill was finally forced through on Tuesday the 11th without a vote. But with 288 votes needed to bring down the government of Prime Minister Manuel Valls, 246 politicians  only voted in favour of the motion, according to the official count. Following the protests, the labor law has been modified to leave the 35-hour week in place. However, it allows companies to organize alternative working times. Under « exceptional circumstances » and for temporary periods only, employees could work up to 60 hours a week.

The only no-confidence vote which ever succeeded in the history of France's Fifth Republic was in 1962, when it was used to oust the government of Georges Pompidou.

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