In Paris, clashes with the police took place during a demonstration against the pension reform

They are several tens of thousands, as was already the case during previous national days of protest organized by the eight main trade union centers in the country. At the head of the procession are representatives of the Unitary Trade Union Federation (FSU), the most represented in the French public sector.

People carry posters that leave no doubt about their attitude towards the bill and its main initiator. They are inscribed: “Makron, can’t you hear us?”, “We didn’t vote for that!”, “You are 64 years old for us, we answer – the 68th year! (i.e. the stormy student demonstrations in May 1968 e – ed.)”. Others call on the government to act against the rising cost of living and other anti-capitalist slogans.

About an hour and a half after the start of the demonstration, several hundred black-clad radicals joined it, who began throwing stones at the police accompanying the demonstrations, as well as at elements of scaffolding they encountered along a walk. Law enforcement in full combat gear responded with tear gas and also began arresting the attackers.

Meanwhile, several hundred strikers staged a protest just outside Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, where 25% of flights were cancelled. In addition to chanting protest slogans, protesters also burned several car tires.

As we have learned, this evening, the leaders of the trade union centers intend to address a request to President Emmanuel Macron so that he renounces the reform of the pension system.

“It is time for him to stop flexing his muscles and start negotiations,” said Philippe Martinez, leader of the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) trade union centre. For his part, the president of the trade union center of the French Democratic Confederation of Labor (FDCT), Laurent Berger, added that if this did not happen, then the mobilization of opponents of the reform “would take other forms”.