About 1.27 million people took part on Tuesday in nationwide protests against the government’s planned pension reform, according to estimates by French authorities quoted by the AP.
As a result of the victory of unions fighting against the planned increase in the retirement age, the number of participants in the first round of protests on the 19th exceeded the estimated one million people.
The eight unions that organized the protests announced two more days of action, on 7 and 11 February.
“In the face of massive rejection, the government must withdraw the reform,” said Patricia Drewon of Force Ouvrière.
The powerful union CGT said 2.8 million protesters came to the demonstrations on Tuesday.
The nationwide strikes and protests are a critical test for both President Emmanuel Macron and his opponents. The government says it intends to deliver on Macron’s key campaign promise to reform France’s pension system. And a strong public outcry will support the efforts of trade unions and left-wing lawmakers to block a bill that would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.
In Paris, French trade unions estimate that more than 500,000 people took part on Tuesday in a march from Place d’Italie to Les Invalides in the center of the capital, a move disputed by authorities that means an increase of 100,000 people. compared to the January 19 protest.
In other cities, the protest movement also showed signs of strengthening after the first day of protest. In Marseille, Nantes or Bordeaux, more people took to the streets on Tuesday, and threats of strikes continue in the coming months.
On Tuesday, schools, transport, hospitals, as well as oil refineries and electrical installations, were at half capacity. Trade unions estimate that only one in two teachers showed up for work, while the government counters that only 25% went on strike. Some 42 secondary schools have even been closed by students who also oppose the reform.
The unions remain united in this protest with the CGT and CFDT, the two largest French trade union centers fighting against the proposal.
The proposal could be amended before March, and now Emmanuel Macron’s government and majority MPs will have to convince the traditional right, “Republicans”, to negotiate the approval of this reform, which will change the life expectancy of all French people.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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