Pension reform approved in France! Mass demonstrations began

In cities as diverse as Paris, Lyon, Rennes and Nantes, the French took to the streets after the Constitutional Council announced its broad support for controversial pension reform.

Protesters gathered in front of the Paris City Hall and started walking the streets after the Council’s decision was announced.

The demonstrators, passing through the symbolic Plaza de la República in the capital, overturned the garbage cans on the tracks and set them on fire. The protesters, who smashed the windows of the bus stops, chanted “Paris, stand up”.

The police intervened the protesters with tear gas and batons.

Local media reported that tensions increased between police and protesters in the city of Nantes, with protesters throwing glass bottles at the Nantes governorate building.

WHAT HAPPENED?

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

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

More than 1,000 people were detained in protests across the country.

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

Although the Council approved the article of the bill that increases the retirement age to 64 years; had rejected, in whole or in part, the 6 articles on the reform. (AA)