Pensions debate leaks on Twitter

SOCIALIST MPs have taken to Twitter to provide a blow-by-blow commentary of secret parliamentary discussions on a controversial pensions reform law.

The new legislation, which would potentially see the legal retirement age raised from 60 to 62, is being examined behind closed doors at committee stage this week.

The president of the National Assembly's social affairs committee, Pierre Méhaignerie, had asked for the debate to be secret to avoid any media "drama" and encourage participants to be more open.

Two Socialist MPs, Sandrine Mazetier and Gaëtan Gorce, decided to rebel against the gagging order and used the micro-blogging service Twitter to provide a constant stream of updates from yesterday's talks.

"We will do all we can to make sure that the public stays informed," Ms Mazetier told her online followers. The pair were soon followed by other MPs.

UMP politician Lionel Tardy, who has already been censured for leaking quotes from a private meeting with former French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes, joined in the live commentary yesterday.

He said private meetings in parliament should be banned because they were "anti-democratic".

The president of the Socialist group in the National Assembly, Jean-Marc Ayrault, added in a tweet that it did not make sense that the government was taking out full-page newspaper ads and TV and radio spots to defend the pensions reform while denying the public the right to hear what is being discussed about it in parliament.

Twitter has become an increasingly popular means for politicians to communicate instantly with their constituents and keep them informed of happenings in parliament.

The draft retirement reform law is due to be presented to MPs on September 7.

All of the main trade unions have announced plans for a big day of industry-wide strike action on the same day.

Photo: National Assembly by David Monniaux