Riots again in protest against pension reform in Paris

As the news channel “BFMTV” reported, referring to police circles, 81 people were arrested during the clashes between demonstrators and security forces. About 4,000 protesters had gathered for the rally in the 13th arrondissement in the south of the French capital.

According to media reports, protesters set fire to garbage cans and attempted to erect barricades. Police deployed water cannon and tear gas. Spontaneous protests also broke out in Nantes, Marseille and other French cities.

Protests have continued since the government decided on Thursday to push through the controversial reform using special Article 49.3 without a vote in the National Assembly.

The pension reform is considered President Macron’s most important reform project. As a result, the retirement age will be raised from 62 to 64 years. The government feared at the last minute on Thursday that not enough MPs would approve the reform and so resorted to Article 49.3 of the Constitution.

The unions have been fighting the reform project for weeks with strikes and mass demonstrations. Another day of strikes and protests is scheduled for next Thursday (March 23). (sda/dpa)