The dispute over the French pension reform threatens to escalate. About 440 emergency services were injured in protests, some of them violent, and 457 people were arrested across the country. Unions had again called for a big day of strikes and demonstrations on Thursday.
In some cities, the mood was already tense during the day. According to French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, several public buildings, such as a city hall, were attacked and there were about 900 fires in Paris alone. According to the authorities, nearly 1.09 million people demonstrated nationwide on Thursday, while trade union CGT spoke of 3.5 million participants.
According to Darmanian, 457 people were arrested nationwide and about 400 police officers were injured in the protests. Images of a police officer collapsing after a rock hit his helmet caused horror. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne called the violence and damage unacceptable.
protests since the beginning of the year
There have been demonstrations against the pension reform since the beginning of the year. For weeks, days of strikes and protests have been mostly peaceful, but since the government passed the controversial reform last week, there has been an increase in violence, especially during spontaneous protests. According to the participants, this should come from both the police and demonstrators. For next Tuesday, the unions have again called for nationwide actions, on this day the British King Charles III. to visit France. However, this was postponed due to the protests.
The current retirement age in France is 62, although the average retirement age is higher. Anyone who has not paid in long enough for a full pension will continue to work. At the age of 67 there is a pension without deductions, regardless of how long you have contributed. This will be retained, but what is new is that the starting age will be gradually increased to 64 years.
Source: Krone
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