In France, unions have again called for strikes and rallies today against President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reform. Authorities were expecting an estimated 650,000 to 900,000 participants for the tenth day of protests across the country. A significantly greater participation of pupils and students was also expected.
The protests, which were peaceful for weeks, have recently been overshadowed by violence and clashes. In Paris, police asked shop owners to close their stores along the route of the demonstration.
The protests are directed against the gradual increase in the retirement age from 62 to 64. The French government wants to use the reform to close a looming pension fund gap. The dispute escalated as the government pushed the text to the National Assembly without a vote. A week ago, two censure motions against the government failed. Thus, the reform was approved.