In France, there will be “local rallies” this weekend to continue the protest against the controversial pension reform. The unions called for new protests after the French Council of Ministers gave the go-ahead for the activation of constitutional article 49.3. President Emmanuel Macron and his government can bypass a parliamentary vote on the pension reform through that article.
The unions at the French railways SNCF call for “maintaining” the strike in the coming days, but for “massive action” on Thursday.
Last night, several thousand people again gathered on the Place de la Concorde. Riots also took place there on Thursday and the police arrested more than 300 people. According to AFP journalists, there was also a tense atmosphere last night. The police evacuated the square and 61 people were arrested.
LOOK. French government pushes through reform without vote
Fire in town hall
There were also protests in Strasbourg, Lille, Bordeaux and Lyon. In Lyon, demonstrators broke into a district town hall and set fire to it. The police quickly extinguished the fire and arrested 36 people.
There have been protests against the controversial pension reform of President Emmanuel Macron for weeks. The government’s decision to push through the plans through a constitutional article and to sideline parliament, however, added fuel to the fire.
Read also: France raises retirement age. Is that also the case with us? Experts explain (+)
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.