In France, hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated again today in several cities against President Emmanuel Macron’s planned pension reform. For the fourth time, unions have called for protests against government plans to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.
According to the Interior Ministry, 963,000 people took part in the protests across the country, and the trade unions spoke of 2.5 million participants. A previously unannounced strike linked to the pension protests caused disruption at Paris’ Orly Airport on Saturday. As of midday, airlines were called upon to cancel half of their departures, the civil aviation authority said.
Dozens of arrests
Around ten thousand security forces were deployed across the country, 4,500 of them in Paris. There were some incidents there. Among other things, a vehicle was overturned and set on fire, and a police officer had to be taken to the hospital after a projectile hit him in the eye. The police reported a total of ten arrests.
Further clashes between demonstrators and the security forces were reported from Rennes in the west of the country. According to their own statements, the police arrested 22 people there.
Union announces general strike
The unions announced a tougher stance in their fight against the reform. A general strike is to paralyze France completely on March 7, and the next day on International Women’s Day there are also plans to go on strike. Extensive strikes were also announced for the Paris public transport company. Strikes had already led to disabilities in France on three previous days of protest.
Many people in France are already working longer than 62 years if they have not paid long enough for a pension without deductions when they reach retirement age. In many strenuous occupations, people could hardly work longer, say opponents of the reform. In addition, the employees wanted to be able to enjoy their well-deserved pension and not completely wear out their health on the job.
Macron points to the impending deficit
Macron justifies the reform with an impending deficit in the pension fund. Because the population is getting older, the employees would have to pay for an increasing number of pensioners with their contributions. In order for the amount of the pension to be kept stable, the population would have to work a little more. The critics question the government’s calculations and say the state must find other sources of funding to keep the pension system in balance.
But the government doesn’t just want to tighten the retirement age. The increase in the necessary payment period for a full pension, which was decided years ago, is to be accelerated. In addition, individual pension systems with privileges for certain professional groups are to be abolished. The minimum pension should rise to around 1,200 euros.
First attempt aborted
Pension reform is considered one of Macron’s most important projects. During the coronavirus pandemic, a first attempt to implement the reform was aborted, and there were already protests and strikes. A number of presidents before Macron had already tried to reform the French pension system with varying degrees of success – widespread protests and strikes were certain.
With Macron’s camp no longer enjoying an absolute majority in parliament, it hopes to push the reform through with the help of the conservative Republicains, who have announced support. Some of the MPs – even from Macron’s group – still have reservations.