PARIS: Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in France on May 1st, Labor Day, to protest against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform, with unions vowing to continue their fight even after the changes were approved into law.
Despite the rain pouring down at the start of the main march in Paris, protesters came out in large numbers to show their anger and disappointment towards the new pension system.
The new law signed by Macron last month raises the retirement age from 62 years to 64 years, despite months of strikes against the bill. The unions had hoped for a vast turnout across France to further rattle Macron, who has been met with pot-bashing and jeers as he tours the country to defend the reforms and relaunch his second mandate.
“The law has been approved but has not been accepted by the majority; there is a general desire to express discontent peacefully to have a reaction in response that shows a level of decency,” said Celine Bertoni, an academic in the central city of Clermont-Ferrand. “I hope that we are going to be told it will be withdrawn,” she added.
France protesters express frustration with government
Many protesters expressed their frustration with the government and the feeling that Macron was not listening to their concerns. “Macron may have the impression that as he was elected as President, he has all the power! However, I want him to cede his place to the people,” said Karine Catteau, 45, in the western city of Rennes.
Tensions erupted in France as police used tear gas to disperse protesters in several cities, including Toulouse, Lyon, and Nantes. The demonstrations were organized by all eight of France’s main unions in protest against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension changes.
The protests mark the first time since 2009 that all of France’s main unions have joined in calling for a demonstration. The strikes and protests, which have been ongoing for a dozen days, have seen waning momentum in recent weeks as people appear unwilling to continue to sacrifice pay.
Despite the government’s efforts to turn the page on the episode of popular discontent, the head of the CGT union Sophie Binet said, “The page is not going to be turned until there is no withdrawal of the pension reform law. The determination to win is intact.”
Almost three in four French citizens were unhappy with Macron, according to a survey by the IFOP polling group last month.
