France pension protests: Crowd clashes with police, retort with firecrackers

Paris: Protesters have clashed with police again in central Paris over the French government’s pension reforms. Thousands of demonstrators lit fires and some threw firecrackers at police, who used tear gas to disperse them.

It is the second night of unrest since President Emmanuel Macron decided to push through the controversial reforms to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a vote, BBC reported.

No-confidence motions have been filed against his government in response.

The first was signed by independents and members of the left-wing Nupes coalition in parliament, while a second came from the far-right National Rally party.

Both are expected to be debated early next week, BBC reported.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally MPs in parliament, called the decision to push through the pension changes “a total failure for the government.”

Police made dozens of arrests during the unrest at Place de la Concorde, not far from the parliament building, BBC reported.

Protests also took place on Friday in other French cities – notably Bordeaux, Toulon and Strasbourg, BBC added.

“We won’t give up,” one demonstrator told AFP news agency. “There’s still hope that the reform can be revoked.”

Another told Reuters that pushing the legislation through without a vote was “a denial of democracy… a total denial of what has been happening in the streets for several weeks.”

The government has said the changes to pensions are essential to ensure the system is not overburdened and prevent it collapsing.

But many people, including union members, disagree and France has now seen more than two months of heated political debate and strikes over the issue.

Transport, public services and schools have all been affected, while a rolling walkout by waste collectors has seen thousands of tonnes of rubbish left on the streets of the capital, BBC reported.

Fuel deliveries have also been blocked and there are plans to stop production at a large refinery in Normandy in the coming days.

“Changing the government or prime minister will not put out this fire, only withdrawing the reform,” said the head of the moderate CFDT union, Laurent Berger.

ED grilling of Kavitha, TSPSC paper leak fresh ammo for BJP, Cong

Hyderabad: By stating that the people of Telangana have confidence only in the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to boost the self-confidence of the party which has been...

Sunak questioned as wife’s firm set to benefit from UK budget policy

London: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been facing the heat after it emerged that his wife Akshata Murthy has shares in a childcare agency, which stands to gain from...

Pakistan admits gloomy outlook for economy

Islamabad: The Pakistan government, while projecting further hike in inflation coupled with a slowdown of the economy, said that delay in finalising a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)...

Indore temple tragedy could have been averted had authorities acted sternly

Bhopal: Rescue operation in Indore temple tragedy in which 35 lives were lost continued on Friday with some people still reported to be missing. Sources have said the tragedy could...

Nanobots to help humans become immortal by 2030: Ex-Google scientist

New Delhi: Humans will attain immortality with the help of nanorobots in just seven years, former Google scientist Ray Kurzweil has claimed. The 75-year-old computer scientist has been a futurist...

Dismantle India’s Big 5 conglomerates to increase competition, says former RBI Deputy Governor

New Delhi: Former RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya has called for dismantling India's largest conglomerates to increase competition and to reduce their pricing power. In a new paper for Brookings,...

Protesters rally in Nashville for gun reform after deadly school shooting

Nashville: Protesters gathered in Nashville to demand for gun reform, in the wake of a deadly shooting at a private elementary school in the Tennessee state capital earlier this week...

Iran says nuclear talks cannot remain open, may set a deadline

New Delhi- In a sign of frustration over unending talks aimed at restoring the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran has said the country may set a deadline as...

First International Day of Zero Waste bolsters actions to address crisis

New Delhi: In response to the worsening impacts of waste on human health, the economy and the environment, the world on Thursday marked the inaugural International Day of Zero Waste,...

Rahul’s expulsion may change Bengal political scenario

New  Delhi : About a fortnight ago, it was widely reported in Bengal media that in her party meeting Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said ‘as long as Rahul’s face will...

Moment politicians stop using religion in politics, hate speeches will go away: Supreme Court

The top court was specifically dealing with a plea regarding hate speeches being made in Maharashtra by Hindu right wing leaders 'Every day, fringe elements are making speeches including on...

Pakistan approves bill to curtail powers of Chief Justice

Islamabad: After the Pakistan federal cabinet approved a 'controversial' bill to deprive the office of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) of powers to take suo motu notice in an individual...

Read Previous

PTI workers pelt stones outside Islamabad court complex ahead of Imran’s hearing

Read Next

One god but different ways to attain him, says Mohan Bhagwat

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com