French unions vow more protests against the tenth general strike against Macron’s pension plans – POLITICO

French unions have vowed to continue demonstrations next week amid another day of protests on Tuesday against French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reforms, the 10th general strike this year.

Clashes It broke out between small groups of protesters and the police, especially in Paris, where some people are also present Looting supermarket. But the number of protesters has also decreased almost everywhere in the country compared to last week, according to estimates by both French authorities and unions. About 730,000 people protested in total, compared to more than a million last Thursday. according to French Ministry of the Interior. CGT Syndicate estimates, meanwhile, calculated That number of protesters dropped From 3.5 million last week to nearly 2 million on Tuesday.

But Parisians are expecting some relief for their noses Wednesday when the garbage collectors are set to resume work Weeks after the strike left piles of rubbish piled up in the streets.

The protests began since the beginning of the year, prompted by Macron’s plans to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 and increase the level of contributions required for a full pension. Discontent mounted earlier this month when the government decided to force the measures through parliament without a vote, sparking fears that the protests could spill over into a broader anti-government movement like the yellow vests, which brought months of unrest during Macron’s first term.

Tuesday’s strikes damaged sectors including public transport and schools, as well as power stations and oil refineries fuel shortage.

But the Macron administration has shown no signs that it will review the reforms. Government spokesman Olivier Ferrand on Tuesday unacceptable A proposal from the CFDT consortium to put procedures on ice and find a mediator to resolve the situation.

But Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has called union representatives to meet at the beginning of next week for talks, according to CFDT leader Laurent Berger.

“Anger is starting to mount, even among the most peaceful protesters,” Berger said Tell TMC broadcast on Tuesday night after the protests subsided.

Major trade unions still exist Planning Another day of strikes and protests next Thursday.