Mass riots in France

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In France, tens of thousands of people used May Day rallies for renewed protests against President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reform. Demonstration trains started on Monday morning in numerous large cities and smaller towns in the province. The unions had called for more than 300 rallies. Authorities expected around 500,000 to 650,000 participants nationwide. Up to 100,000 demonstrators were expected in Paris alone.

Police prepared for feared riots, but by noon the situation had largely relaxed. Drones should be used for the first time in Paris and other major cities to monitor the situation. Usually, May Day gatherings around the country gather between 100,000 and 160,000 people across the country.

Macron’s center government would like to see the pension reform now decided upon over, but trade unions and parts of the opposition continue to protest to prevent its implementation from September 1. The last nationwide protests against the pension reform took place two weeks ago, after Macron pushed through the increase in the retirement age from 62 to 64. The fact that the government pushed through the reform without a vote in parliament, with the help of a special paragraph, also causes resentment.

The question now is whether the May 1 demonstrations will be the last major demonstrations against pension reform. The number of participants was already falling beforehand and there are also signs that the common front of the trade unions is falling apart. (SDA)

Source: Blick