- The new British monarch’s first state visit was scheduled to take place from March 26-29, visiting Paris and Bordeaux.
- Tear gas and water cannons were fired at demonstrators in Paris and police officers were injured.
- The French government announced last week that it would use special constitutional powers to get its unpopular pensions bill through the lower house of parliament without a vote.
French gendarmes react near burning dustbins amid clashes with protesters during a demonstration as part of the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against the French government’s pension reform March 23, 2023 in Paris, France.
Nacho Doce | Portal
The visit of King Charles III. in France has been postponed as protests against the Paris government’s pension system reform continue.
This trip was to be the new British monarch’s first state visit and was to take place from March 26-29.
The unions on Thursday called for a national day of action with strikes and protests on March 28th.
The decision to cancel the visit was taken by the French and British governments following a phone call between French President Emmanuel Macron and King Charles, according to an official statement from the Élysée Palace.
Street protests have intensified in recent days after the government announced last week it would use special constitutional powers to force its unpopular pensions bill without a vote by the lower house of parliament.
King Charles was due to visit Paris and Bordeaux, both of which have seen heavy protests. Bordeaux town hall was torched, although the flames were quickly put out, the BBC reported.
Tear gas and water cannons were fired at demonstrators in Paris and other cities, injuring police officers.
Demonstrators throw back tear gas canisters amid clashes during a demonstration as part of the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against the French government’s pension reform March 23, 2023 in Paris, France.
Yves Herman | Portal
The Pensions Act will raise the national retirement age for most workers from 62 to 64, or by the same number of years at a lower age for public sector workers. It will also increase the number of years someone must pay into the system to receive a full pension from 42 to 43 from 2027.
The government narrowly escaped two no-confidence motions by coalitions of opposition lawmakers.
In a TV interview with broadcasters TF1 and France 2 on Wednesday, Macron insisted the reforms were necessary to balance the books and shore up the pension system for the future.
A French police officer in riot gear, injured in clashes with protesters, is assisted during a demonstration on the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against the French government’s pension reforms in Paris, France, March 23, 2023.
Gonzalo Fuentes | Portal
Unions have criticized the changes and the way they were passed as an undemocratic attack on working people.
Macron said he wanted to work with unions but accused them of not negotiating the reforms. He also said peaceful demonstrations are legitimate, but added that some protests have resulted in unacceptable disruption and violence.
The French president’s popularity ratings have plummeted amid the controversy, and an Elabe poll on Thursday found that 71% of those who watched his interview found it unconvincing, while 61% said it prompted more anger.