Macron's bid to raise retirement age approved by top court
Apr 14, 2023 19:49:54 GMT -5
Post by songbird on Apr 14, 2023 19:49:54 GMT -5
Carnage in France: Battles on the streets of Paris as riot police fire tear gas and charge at pension protesters after Macron's hated bid to raise retirement age is approved by top constitutional court
A top French court has passed Macron's controversial pension reforms in France
The pension age is set to increase by two years despite widespread opposition
French police are bracing for scenes of violence after widespread protests
By ELIZABETH HAIGH
PUBLISHED: 12:29 EDT, 14 April 2023 | UPDATED: 18:11 EDT, 14 April 2023
Carnage is erupting on the streets of France tonight after French President Emmanuel Macron's flagship pension reform passed a vital constitutional milestone despite months of disruptive strikes and protests.
The legislation, which pushes the age at one can draw a full pension to 64 from 62, is deeply unpopular in France and has triggered huge disruption.
After the decision was announced by the Constitutional Council on Friday, largescale protests began around the country and quickly turned violent - with 112 people arrested in Paris alone.
Police used tear gas in Lyon and Strasbourg and water cannons in Paris to control the streets, while protesters set fires, built barricades and let off flares in the centre of the capital.
Officers were seen charging down streets in cities across France as they battled protesters angry about the reforms. In Nantes, a police station was briefly set on fire by rioters before being extinguished.
Barricades made of metal boards, dustbins and fires have been hastily erected in Paris as police respond to protesters
Protesters are marching on the centre of Paris, with 3,000 people already assembled outside the town hall by 5pm BST, according to French media.
Demonstrations are taking place in major French cities including Paris, Rennes, Toulouse, Lyon and Nantes.
In Paris protesters have let off flares and set fire to bikes outside the town hall, triggering a significant response by police. Dustbins and other items have also been set on fire around the city.
Some have erected barricades in the streets of the capital, using sheets of metal, bins, wood and fire. A march is approaching the Place de la Bastille, where the infamous Bastille prison once stood.
Police have arrested some protesters, including around a dozen young people who were pictured being detained by officers with batons and tear gas.
In Nantes, bottles and other projectiles have been thrown at police by some protesters, causing the police to respond with water cannons. Protesters are attempting to disrupt major roads and tramways by creating lines of burning dustbins.
Shortly after 8pm BST, a Nantes police station was set aflame by protesters, with the entire entranceway alight, before a water cannon was used to extinguish the flames.
Full story with pictures and videos at link
A top French court has passed Macron's controversial pension reforms in France
The pension age is set to increase by two years despite widespread opposition
French police are bracing for scenes of violence after widespread protests
By ELIZABETH HAIGH
PUBLISHED: 12:29 EDT, 14 April 2023 | UPDATED: 18:11 EDT, 14 April 2023
Carnage is erupting on the streets of France tonight after French President Emmanuel Macron's flagship pension reform passed a vital constitutional milestone despite months of disruptive strikes and protests.
The legislation, which pushes the age at one can draw a full pension to 64 from 62, is deeply unpopular in France and has triggered huge disruption.
After the decision was announced by the Constitutional Council on Friday, largescale protests began around the country and quickly turned violent - with 112 people arrested in Paris alone.
Police used tear gas in Lyon and Strasbourg and water cannons in Paris to control the streets, while protesters set fires, built barricades and let off flares in the centre of the capital.
Officers were seen charging down streets in cities across France as they battled protesters angry about the reforms. In Nantes, a police station was briefly set on fire by rioters before being extinguished.
Barricades made of metal boards, dustbins and fires have been hastily erected in Paris as police respond to protesters
Protesters are marching on the centre of Paris, with 3,000 people already assembled outside the town hall by 5pm BST, according to French media.
Demonstrations are taking place in major French cities including Paris, Rennes, Toulouse, Lyon and Nantes.
In Paris protesters have let off flares and set fire to bikes outside the town hall, triggering a significant response by police. Dustbins and other items have also been set on fire around the city.
Some have erected barricades in the streets of the capital, using sheets of metal, bins, wood and fire. A march is approaching the Place de la Bastille, where the infamous Bastille prison once stood.
Police have arrested some protesters, including around a dozen young people who were pictured being detained by officers with batons and tear gas.
In Nantes, bottles and other projectiles have been thrown at police by some protesters, causing the police to respond with water cannons. Protesters are attempting to disrupt major roads and tramways by creating lines of burning dustbins.
Shortly after 8pm BST, a Nantes police station was set aflame by protesters, with the entire entranceway alight, before a water cannon was used to extinguish the flames.
Full story with pictures and videos at link