Violent protests in France spread

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The protest against the pension reform in France is spreading. According to trade union CGT, 3.5 million people demonstrated across the country on Tuesday, paralyzing large parts of public life for the sixth time in a few weeks. The French Ministry of the Interior, on the other hand, spoke of 1.28 million demonstrators.

The CGT estimated that about 700,000 people took to the streets in Paris alone. The Paris police, on the other hand, counted 81,000 demonstrators. The figures from the police and trade unions about the protests usually vary widely.

The government should withdraw the reform

The president of the CFDT union, who was also involved in the protests, Laurent Berger, said in Paris: “If so many people take to the streets and the government can justify its project so badly, then it must withdraw the reform.”

Riots broke out on the sidelines of the protest march in Paris. Rioters destroyed bus stops, raised barriers and clashed with security forces, who in turn used tear gas.

The unions had issued the slogan “to paralyze the whole country”. In fact, 80 percent of long-distance trains were canceled and local public transport was severely affected in Paris and other major cities. Protesters blocked all of the country’s refineries, preventing gas stations from being supplied with fuel. About a quarter of the flights have been cancelled.

Classes were canceled in numerous schools and about a third of teaching staff stopped working. The Ministry of Education counted 48 partially blocked secondary schools. A poster with the inscription “No to conscription”, which the government wants to introduce for young people, hung in front of a Parisian high school that was full of rubbish bins. Several universities were also blocked.

“Today is the beginning of a new phase, the strikes will continue in many places,” said CGT union leader Philippe Martinez. Another day of protest on Saturday was under discussion.

Two out of three French people are against reforms

According to polls, two in three French people oppose the reform, which would include raising the retirement age from 62 to 65. After an initial debate in the National Assembly, the Senate, the second chamber of parliament, is currently debating the bill.

The debate ends at midnight on Sunday. It is possible that the law could pass as early as March 16 with a conservative Republican vote.

The left-wing populist party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon called on President Emmanuel Macron to organize new elections or a referendum. “It is time for him to take a democratic initiative to respond to the blockade,” said Mélenchon. He accused Macron of governing “inefficiently, unfairly and mercilessly”.

The French government wants the French to work longer to avoid a deficit in the pension fund. In addition, the minimum pension is increased to 1,200 euros for full contribution periods. The recruitment of seniors should be encouraged. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), people in France retire on average at the age of 60 and the average life expectancy is 80 years. (SDA/AFP)

Source: Blick