Strikes continue in France against pension reform

Although many sectors, especially energy and transport, decided to strike and protest at the call of the main unions in France, it is expected that close to 1 million people will take to the streets.

Due to the demonstrations, there was a problem with transportation in and around the capital, Paris, from early in the morning. The demonstrations will take place in 250 points throughout France, especially in the cities of Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux.

FRENCH MAJORITY SUPPORT

Recent polls show that 57 percent of the French support today’s strikes and demonstrations. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that 11,000 police and gendarmes were deployed throughout the country, 4,000 of them in Paris, due to the demonstrations.

Dharmanin stated that further action was taken on intelligence received that left-wing extremists from abroad would participate in the demonstrations.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Massive demonstrations broke out in France on March 16, following the government’s decision to approve the bill, which includes raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, without a vote.

The police responded harshly to the protesters and violent incidents broke out in many parts of the country. More than 1,000 people have been detained in protests across the country since March 16.

The Constitutional Council, to which the opposition and the government turned to to determine if the reform complied with the constitution, approved the article of the bill that raised the retirement age to 64 years, and rejected all 6 articles in whole or in part .

A bill to repeal the law, which was passed despite massive protests and intense opposition, will be debated in the National Assembly on June 8. (AA)