PARIS — French unions vowed to continue demonstrations next week amid another day of protests against French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reform – the 10th general strike this year.
clashes erupted between small groups of protesters and the police, especially in Paris, where there were also some people looted a supermarket. According to estimates by both the French authorities and the trade unions, the number of demonstrators has also fallen almost everywhere in the country compared to the previous week. In total, around 730,000 people protested, compared to more than 1 million last Thursday. accordingly the French Ministry of the Interior. According to estimates by the CGT union, the number of demonstrators fell from 3.5 million last week to around 2 million on Tuesday.
But Parisians can expect some relief for their noses on Wednesday when garbage collectors resume work after weeks of strike that left heaps of rubbish in the streets.
The protests have been going on since the beginning of the year, sparked by Macron’s plans to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 and raise contribution rates for a full pension. Discontent grew earlier this month when the government decided to force the measures without a vote by parliament, raising concerns that the protests could morph into a broader anti-government movement like the Yellow Vests, which raged for months during Macron’s first term brought about unrest.
Tuesday’s strikes hit sectors such as public transport and schools, as well as energy plants and oil refineries, causing fuel shortages.
But Macron’s government has shown no signs that it will overhaul the reforms. Government spokesman Olivier Véran on Tuesday rejected a proposal by the CFDT union to put the measures on hold and find a mediator to resolve the situation.
According to CFDT boss Laurent Berger, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has invited union representatives to meet for talks early next week.
“Anger is starting to mount, even among the most peaceful protesters,” Berger told Broadcaster TMC on Tuesday evening after the protests died down.
The big unions are planning another day of strikes and protests next Thursday.