In an effort to prevent protests over France’s intention to raise the state pension age by two years without a referendum, Paris police have prohibited gatherings in the city’s places surrounding important government buildings.
Using Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, which empowers him to enact a bill without a legislative vote, The new legislation that would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 is being pushed through by French President Emmanuel Macron. His decision has proven to be extremely controversial, resulting in widespread demonstrations.
Demonstrators gathered in Bordeau, Marseille, and other towns as they continued to demand the vote, which Macron did not appear certain would succeed. Notwithstanding the Paris prohibition, protesters continued on Saturday, assembling instead in the central Paris retail district of Les Halles.
According to a survey conducted by Toluna Harris Interactive for RTL radio, more than 80% of people disapprove of the government’s choice to forgo a parliamentary vote, and 65% want strikes and protests to continue.
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Paris Street Protests
The protests have disrupted several important businesses, including refineries, garbage collection, and trains. Philippe Martinez, the head of the CGT Union, emphasized that the organization made it plain to Macron that protests will continue as long as he followed his intention to drive the law through.
The street protests have been generally peaceful, although police battled with protestors on Friday night when a fire was ignited near the national parliament, leading to the arrest of 61 individuals. When they confronted a line of riot police, demonstrators screamed, “Macron, Resign!”
In recent days, over 300 individuals have been detained countrywide, with 258 of them in the area around the national parliament. A coalition of France’s largest unions stated that they will continue to attempt to reverse the measures.
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