The demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform turned violent on Thursday, with clashes between police and protesters resulting in injuries to more than 149 police and gendarmes while 172 people got arrested, including 77 in Paris, according to French Interior Minister GéraldDarmanin.
Hundreds of thousands of workers continued Protests in France with more than a million demonstrating against the government’s plans to raise the pension age by two years to 64.
In Paris alone, 119,000 people participated in the protests, according to the interior ministry, to disperse whom the Police used tear gas.
“1,500 rioters” had attended the Paris rallies to “break cops and public buildings”, said GéraldDarmanin.
The protests have been organized by labor unions, who are planning more demonstrations on Tuesday, coinciding with the state visit of King Charles III to Bordeaux.
Bordeaux town hall set on fire
On Thursday evening, the Bordeaux town hall was set on fire, after protests and clashes throughout the day, but firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze.
“Demonstrating and voicing disagreements is a right. The violence and degradation we have witnessed today is unacceptable. All my gratitude to the police and rescue forces mobilized.”France’s Prime Minister, Élisabeth Borne, said in a tweet.
The Interior Minister sought to reassure the public, stating that security “poses no problem” for the upcoming royal visit, and that the monarch will be welcomed warmly.
“Legitimate” protests which would not result in a reversal of the law
Macron’s televised statement on Wednesday that the protests against the pension reform were “legitimate” but would not result in a reversal of the law fueled the anger of many demonstrators, especially the youth. The law not only increases the official retirement age but also extends the period of contributions that workers must make to the pension system.
“They want to raise it to 64 today. Will it be 66, 67, 68 tomorrow? They tell us life expectancy is longer, but are we to work until we collapse and are carted off to the crematorium?” said Juliette, a 51-year-old teacher.
According to many protesters, the president displayed “contempt and arrogance” towards those who opposed the changes, which were a crucial element of his re-election campaign in the previous year.