France: Clashes again in Paris at protest against pension reform
France
Clashes again in Paris during protests against pension reform
A barricade burns in front of the National Assembly in Paris. photo
© Lewis Joly/AP/dpa
The pension reform in France remains highly controversial – even after the government passed parliament by passing it. Riots break out again in Paris.
At a protest rally against the French government’s pension reform stance on Friday evening, it’s in Paris There were renewed clashes between police and demonstrators. According to media reports, security forces used water cannon and tear gas against the protesters, who threw paving stones and firecrackers at police officers. Objects were also set on fire.
According to information from the French television station BFMTV, 38 people were arrested. Around 4000 participants are said to have been counted at the protest. There were also protests in other cities, such as Bordeaux, Lyon and Strasbourg.
The spontaneous rally in Paris took place on the central Place de la Concorde, which is not far from the Parliament building. It was already closed there the day before riots came after the French government decided to push through the controversial reform without a vote in the National Assembly using Special Article 49.3. She feared that not enough MEPs would agree to the reform. This provides for raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 years.
Trade unions have been protesting the reform plans with strikes for weeks. They have again called for a nationwide day of strikes and protests for next Thursday.
