More strikes and protests against pension reform planned in France

In France, the unions are in favour this tuesday again called for strikes and demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reform. Expect for the tenth day of nationwide protests the authorities with some 650,000 to 900,000 participants. Significantly higher participation from pupils and students was also expected. The protests, which have been peaceful for weeks, have recently been overshadowed by mass violence and clashes. In Paris, police asked owners to close their shops along the demonstration route.

The protests are directed against the gradual increase of the retirement age from 62 to 64 years. With the reform, the middle government wants to close an imminent gap in the pension fund. The dispute worsened as the government pushed through the text without a vote by the National Assembly. A week ago, two no-confidence motions in the government failed. The reform has therefore succeeded. It will now be reviewed by the Constitutional Council. Macron wants the reform to take effect by the end of the year.

Despite the ongoing protests, the government in Paris is not yet in sight. Macron discussed the situation with Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and the leaders of the government parties on Monday. Macron did not want to test the reform, media reports later quoted participants. Macron said the hand continues to reach out to unions to provide advice on other aspects of the world of work. Meanwhile, Macron and the government are meeting for the cabinet meeting on Tuesday instead of the usual Wednesday. The pension dispute must be brought up again.

Due to the planned protests, France was recently forced to cancel a planned state visit by the British King Charles III. Cancel.

On Tuesday, 13,000 police officers will be mobilized across the country, Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin announced Monday evening. 5,500 of the officials would be on duty in Paris. These are unprecedented security measures despite abuse and violence at previous protests. About 1,000 left-wing extremists, some of them also from abroad, who are known to police, could potentially mix with protesters in Paris and other major cities on Tuesday, Darmanin said. The minister called on the demonstrators to distance themselves from violent criminals.

Following allegations of police brutality during the recent pension protests, 17 investigations have been launched against officials, the interior minister said. He called on police on Tuesday not to respond to provocations during the protests and defended the officers against widespread accusations. There are also quite a few opponents of the pension reform among the police. (sda/dpa/oee)