Clashes break out at protests against pension reform in France

Demonstrations were held in 200 parts of the country against the controversial pension reform, which the government accepted directly without a vote in parliament.

Employees from different sectors such as energy, transport and education from all over the country carried out a massive strike at the call of the unions.

Clashes broke out between the police and protesters in the cities of Paris, Rennes and Toulouse.

Protesters marching from Place de la République to Place de la Nation in the capital Paris set bicycles, scooters and trash cans on fire. The police intervened the protesters with tear gas and batons.

DETENTION PROTESTS

According to French press reports, official sources reported that 740,000 people participated in the demonstrations across the country, 93,000 of whom were in Paris.

The General Union of Workers, on the other hand, claimed that 450,000 people in Paris and more than 2 million people across France participated in the demonstrations. 70 people were arrested at the demonstration in Paris.

UNIONS HAVE DECIDED TO “GO ON”

The unions have called for the 11th nationwide strike and mass demonstration on April 6 against the pension reform.

Laurent Berger, secretary general of the French Federation of Democratic Labor, said French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne called on the unions to meet next week.

In the country, the hashtag “#suresizgenelstriv” on Twitter became a Trend Topic.

PENSION REFORM CRISIS

Demonstrations in France, which began on March 16, continue after the government’s decision to pass the bill, which includes raising the retirement age by 2 years, from 62 to 64, without a vote.

Violence is taking place in many parts of the country between protesters and the police, who have violently intervened in the demonstrations.

More than 1,000 people have been detained in protests across the country since March 16.

In the previous 9 mass demonstrations, millions of people took to the streets. (AA)