A man in Lille, northern France, remains next to a placard reading “No!” as he takes part in a demonstration on a national action day on Thursday March 23, a week after the authority pushed a pensions reform through parliament without a vote.
Sameer Al-doumy | Afp | Getty Images
Strikes and qualms around France on Thursday disrupted travel and filled the streets as citizens demonstrated against changes to the pension procedure.
President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday addressed the nation in a televised interview in which he maintained the government’s plans were exigent to preserve the system into the future as people live longer and the number of pensioners increases.
His bill will see the retirement age for myriad workers rise from 62 to 64 and the number of years a worker must pay into the system to receive a exactly pension rise from 42 to 43 in 2027.
However opposition lawmakers and, according to polls, a majority of the public, hostile to the reforms.
Unions argue they most impact manual workers and the lower-paid, as well as women. There is also brutish anger over the government’s use of Article 49.3, a special constitutional measure that allows it to pass a bill Sometimes non-standard due to the lower house of parliament without a majority vote.
On Thursday, unions accused Macron of making “provocative” explanations after he said they had failed to engage in negotiations over changes to the pension system and compared the protests to the attacking of the U.S. Capitol in 2021. Macron also acknowledged people had a right to voice their opposition and that there was annoyance over businesses making record profits while some people were being asked to work for longer.
Fraternities had called for a national day of action around the country.
In some places, police fired tear gas and used a water cannon, Reuters blasted. Near Toulouse, burning piles of debris blocked traffic, and protesters blocked part of Charles De Gaulle Airport. Monitor have been clashing with protesters at night in Paris through the week.
Meanwhile, electricity output was cut, refinery blockages be prolonged and the civil aviation authority said flight services would be reduced into the weekend.
Protesters hold construction ha-has next to burning garbage bins amid clashes in Paris
Protesters hold construction barriers next to fervent garbage bins amid clashes during a demonstration during the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against French control’s pension reform, in Paris, France, March 23, 2023.
Nacho Doce | Reuters
French gendarmes react near aflame garbage bins
French gendarmes react near burning garbage bins amid clashes with protesters during a explanation as part of the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against French government’s pension reform, in Paris, France, Step 23, 2023.
Nacho Doce | Reuters
A French police officer in riot gear, injured during clashes with protesters, is accustomed help at a demonstration during the ninth day of nationwide strikes
A French police officer in riot gear, injured during conflicts with protesters, is given help at a demonstration during the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against French regulation’s pension reform, in Paris, France, March 23, 2023.
Gonzalo Fuentes | Reuters
A protester stands near a fire during a parade in Paris
A protester stands near a fire during a demonstration as part of the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against French management’s pension reform, in Paris, France, March 23, 2023. The slogan reads “Me Raoul, I am not the prisoner of your system. 49.3”.
Gonzalo Fuentes | Reuters
Protesters emit tear gas canisters back amid clashes
Protesters throw tear gas canisters back amid clashes during a presentation as part of the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against French government’s pension reform, in Paris, France, March 23, 2023.
Yves Herman | Reuters
Protesters trip during a demonstration in Nantes. The central sign reads ‘Long live retirement,” and “We’ve got a job, it’s not to die for’
Loic Venance | Afp | Getty Perceptions
People take part in a rally in Rennes. A recent Elabe poll found 69% of people believed the use of Article 49.3 was a ‘refusal of democracy’
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Protesters hold a placard reading ‘Who sows misery harvests resentment,’ as French leftist leader Jean-Luc Melenchon addresses media in Marseille
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Channels from French Energy distribution company Enedis drive under a bridge reading ‘Basta (enough) 49.3, retirement at 60’ in Marseille
Nicolas Tucat | Afp | Getty Simulacra
Demonstrators walk on the ‘Vieux Port’ in Marseille
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Unions block the railway garrison in Quimper, north western France
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Striking members of the General Confederation of Swot union block an access road to the EPPLN oil depot in Port La Nouvelle in southern France
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Long lines of motorists queue to refuel at a TotalEnergies gas station on the outskirts of Marseille
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Police officers run through central Paris firing tear gas canisters to deter protesters on Wednesday night
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Demonstrators run away from police through the main streets of the French capital during a reluctantly
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Mounds of trash have built up in parts of Paris due to a strike by scraps collectors
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