Protests Against Macron’s Pension Reforms Turn Violent In France

Protests and strikes against Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms in France have escalated, with demonstrators blocking train tracks and highways, and clashing with police across the country. The pension reform bill proposes raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, and unions and opposition parties have been staging mass demonstrations – including several general strikes – to show their opposition to the bill since mid-January.

Protests Turn Violent In Some Cities

Protests turned violent in some cities, with “Black Bloc” anarchists smashing shop windows, demolishing bus stops, and ransacking a McDonald’s restaurant in Paris; similar violence was witnessed in other cities. The government used special powers to push the bill through parliament without a vote, which only fueled public frustration and eventually morphed into broader anti-Macron sentiment.

Workers Strike Across Industries

Workers from various industries went on strike in solidarity with the protesters. Rubbish collectors’ weeks-long strike in Paris left roads around famous landmarks strewn with piles of trash until they finally suspended their strike. Highways in several French cities were blocked on Tuesday morning, and strikes in the transport, aviation, and energy sectors continued to disrupt travel. About 17% of all fuel stations in France were missing at least one product.

Tens Of Thousands Marched Against Pension Reforms

Tens of thousands marched in France on Tuesday to protest against Macron’s changes to France’s retirement system. CGT union, which organized the strikes, reported a dive in the number of Paris demonstrators after a record high of 800,000 five days earlier. Turnout at the street protests appeared to be slightly lower than the last day of strikes and protests last Thursday.

Protesters Clash With Police

In some cities, men in masks or hoods clashed with police who responded with tear gas. Police in Paris fired teargas and launched a charge after some people raided and looted a supermarket and set a fire as the march approached Place de la Nation. At least 22 people were arrested in Paris, while in Nantes, protesters threw projectiles at security forces who responded with tear gas.

The Government Rejects Demands To Suspend Pension Bill

The government rejected a new demand by unions to suspend and rethink the pension bill. Macron promised to deliver pension reform in both of his presidential campaigns, saying change is needed to keep the country’s finances in balance. However, unions and opposition parties say that there are other ways to do that.

Unions Vow To Continue Mass Protests

Nearly two weeks after the government pushed the new pensions law through using a special provision that bypassed a parliament vote, unions have vowed to continue mass protests until the government backs down. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin described it as an unprecedented deployment of 13,000 officers, nearly half of them concentrated in the French capital.

Conclusion

In conclusion, protests against Emmanuel Macron’s pensions reform bill have turned violent in France, with demonstrators blocking train tracks and highways and clashing with police across the country. The French president’s opponents argue that additional funding for pensions could come from other sources without having to make workers retire later. However, the government argues that France’s pension system will dive into deficit without reform due to lower birth rates and longer life expectancy in many richer nations. Unions and opposition parties continue to pledge more protests until the government backs down.