French pension reform is now law, but protesters not giving up
Apr 16, 2023
Paris [France], April 16: France's controversial pension reform is officially law, following the government's publication of the legal text in the official register on Saturday, but opponents aren't giving up and plan to continue to oppose the changes.
The official publication followed the Constitutional Council's approval on Friday, declaring the plan to gradually raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 years, essentially in conformity with the Constitution. The law is to take effect in September. A referendum, which opponents of the reform had hoped for, was declared inadmissible by the constitutional authorities. Protests in Paris, Nice, Nantes, Rennes and other cities greeted that news. In Paris alone, 112 demonstrators were arrested on Friday evening, and 30 rubbish bins were set alight, the television station "BFMTV" reported, citing the police. Photos showed burning bins in front of the Paris city hall. There were also protests in several other cities, such as Strasbourg, Lyon and Nantes. In Rennes, the door of a police station was set on fire. There had already been rallies and roadblocks earlier in the day.Demonstrations are also expected on Saturday, while the trade unions called for new protest marches on May 1."The struggle continues, and we must join forces," said left-wing politician Jean-Luc Melenchon.
The Socialists announced a motion to repeal the law. Party member and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo warned that the reform divides French society.
"I appeal to the president: He must hear the overwhelming majority that is speaking out all over France against this reform dividing the country," she said.France's right-wing nationalist Marine Le Pen, buoyed by the pensions row, called for the government and Macron to be punished in the next election. "The people always have the last word." She said.
Source: Qatar Tribune
