Pension protests in France: Paris bans rallies near major sites to quell unrest

Paris police banned gatherings in areas of the city in areas around important government sites in an effort to end protests against it France plan Raise the state retirement age by two years without a vote.

“Due to the grave risk of disruption to public order and security… any assembly is prohibited in and around the Place de la Concorde, as well as in the area of ​​the Champs-Elysées,” the police said. AFP report. “People who try to congregate there will be systematically expelled by the police.”

French president Emmanuel Macron He decided to move ahead with the new legislation, which would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, using Article 49.3 of the Constitution, which allows him to pass a law without a parliamentary vote. His decision proved very unpopular, which led to protests across the country.

Protesters gathered in cities Including Bordeaux, Marseille and elsewhere as they continue to demand a vote, which Macron does not seem confident he will pass.

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Despite the ban in Paris, the protests continued on Saturday anyway, gathering instead in the Les Halles shopping district in central Paris, according to Politico.

A demonstrator holds a clip depicting French President Emmanuel Macron near a fire during a demonstration in Place de la Concorde protesting the French government’s use of Article 49.3, a special clause in the French constitution, to push a pension reform bill through the National Assembly without a vote by lawmakers, in Paris, France, March 17, 2023. (Reuters / Gonzalo Fuentes)

More than eight out of ten people are dissatisfied with the government The decision to skip the vote A poll by Toluna Harris Interactive for RTL broadcaster showed that 65% want strikes and protests to continue.

French gendarmes and CRS riot police stand at a post near a fire as protesters gather on the Place de la Concorde near the National Assembly in Paris, France, March 16, 2023. (Reuters / Lucien Lippert)

The protests affected a number of people vital industriesincluding refineries, garbage collection and railways, the Guardian reported.

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Felipe Martinez, leader of the Confederation of Trade Unions, stressed that the group had made it clear to Macron that the protests would continue as long as he continued his plan to implement the legislation.

Gendarmerie members stand guard during a demonstration on Place de la Concorde in Paris, France, March 17, 2023. (Reuters / Gonzalo Fuentes)

“Nobody can say we didn’t say anything: we told him,” Martinez said, adding that “the situation was explosive.”

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Street protests have been largely peaceful, but police clashed with protesters on Friday night, with 61 people arrested after a fire was set near the House of Representatives. “Macron resign!” the demonstrators chanted. while squared off against a line of riot police.

A protester throws projectiles amid clashes during a protest after French Prime Minister Elisabeth Bourne used Article 49.3, a special provision in the French constitution, to push a pension reform bill through the National Assembly without a vote by lawmakers, in Nantes, France, March 16, 2023. (Reuters/Stephan Mahe)

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More than 300 people have been arrested across the country, including 258 in the area around the House of Representatives in recent days.

A broad coalition of France’s main unions said they would continue to try to force a radical change in the changes.

Reuters contributed to this report.