Protesters across France are angry about President Macron’s long-promised plans to raise the national retirement age from 62 to 64 during an acute cost-of-living crisis, exacerbated by spiraling inflation.
from 62 to 64 during an acute cost-of-living crisis, exacerbated by spiralling inflation.
Thousands gathered Thursday in Place de la Concorde, which faces the National Assembly building, and sporadic protests persisted into the night. Large plumes of black smoke rose early Friday over Gare du Lyon, a busy rail station on the eastern side of town. The city’s enormous tourist economy continued regardless, with tours of major sites ongoing. But the experience had some added and unwanted features.Michel Euler / AP
The anti-reform cause has also been enthusiastically taken up by young people, who face working longer under tighter financial constraints. “I want to get my voice to be heard because it’s the only way we can show we don’t agree with what’s going on. It’s important for the young to tell what they feel because without a voice you don’t count,” said Emma Mendzesel, 16.
Those protests ended in a partial U-turn, with Macron scrapping a carbon tax rise. But there is much less chance of him reversing the pension age plan, which was a key manifesto commitment ahead of hisGarbage burns during a protest in Nantes on Thursday, after the government pushed pensions reform through Parliament without a vote.Opposition lawmakers say they will present motions of no-confidence in Prime Minister Borne, who pushed the reform through, calling for her to resign.
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