(Central News Agency) French Prime Minister Bernard plans to meet opposition party and union leaders, hoping to bring an end to weeks of protests over pension reform plans, the prime minister's office said on Monday.

Anti-reform demonstrations turned violent after the French government pushed through a controversial law this month, bypassing a parliamentary vote, over the pension reform that would raise the mandatory retirement age from 62 to 64.

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President Emmanuel Macron has ruled out canceling or delaying the plan, telling Elisabeth Borne to continue seeking new support in Congress after the government failed to secure enough votes to pass the bill.

Without mentioning the pension reform bill, Burner's office said she would meet with party leaders and aim to restart dialogue with unions on labor issues.

In an interview with AFP, Bernard said he would meet with opposition party and union leaders in the week starting April 3.

She also pledged not to use her constitutional power to force passage of bills without a vote again, except for the budget.

In the midst of the pension reform crisis, it remains to be seen whether the government's attempt to draw a line will quell the outrage and hostility that preceded legislation passed without a final vote.

Following the most serious violent clashes between the last protest and the police on the 21st, trade unions are scheduled to launch their 10th national protest on pension reform on the 28th.

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