Macron reaches out to unions in France

In his press release after the European Union (EU) Summit held in Brussels, French President Macron made assessments of the demonstrations against the pension reform organized throughout the country.

Mentioning that there were scenes where violent activists attacked security forces during the demonstrations, Macron stressed that they would not allow violence and that there was no place for violence in democracy. Macron condemned the use of violence in the demonstrations.

“The country cannot stop.” Macron said they are ready to move forward by negotiating with unions on employee-related issues, including depreciation.

Recalling that the pension reform was sent to the Constitutional Council for annulment, Macron stated that he was waiting for the decision to come out of here.

Macron said the visit of England’s King Charles III to Paris was postponed “because hospitality between demonstrations would be perceived as frivolous.”

3. Noting that it is necessary to organize Charles’ visit when the country is calm, Macron stated that this visit could be at the beginning of summer.

WHAT HAPPENED?

In the statement from the French Presidency, it was reported that the visit of King Carlos, which was scheduled to take place in different cities in France from March 26 to 29, was postponed due to the intensification of protests in the country.

In the statement, it was indicated that the decision to postpone was taken by the governments of the two countries after the telephone conversation between King Carlos and Macron.

After the pension reform was approved without a vote in parliament on March 16 in France, violent incidents break out between police and protesters during demonstrations against the reform.

The opposition and the government had asked the Constitutional Council to determine whether the reform was constitutional.

While 457 people were arrested in demonstrations across the country yesterday, 441 police and gendarmerie were injured. (AA)