The French government has survived a no-confidence motion in the lower house of parliament, triggered by its use of decree to bypass opposition to an economic reform bill.<br /><br /> Some 234 lawmakers voted in favour of the motion – ie. against the government, far short of the 289 votes needed for an absolute majority.<br /><br /> The controversial bill will go straight to a reading in the Senate (upper house of parliament).<br /><br /> A defiant Prime Minister Manuel Valls told parliament after the vote: “We will carry on with all the means given to us by the constitution. We will continue our reforms without giving up.”<br /><br /> Former President, and head of the opposition UMP party, Nicolas Sarkozy says using the so-called ’49-3’ decree is a desperate measure.<br /><br /> If President Francois Hollande uses the “nuclear weapon of the 49-3 for the tiny ‘Macron law’ how is he going to pass the big reforms he’s announced?” Sarkozy said in an interview with French media.<br /><br /> “I’m not alone. All observers agree on this point. The 49-
