The Paris police have banned meetings in the central Place de la Concorde. This decision has been made while thousands of protesters continue to protest throughout France against Emmanuel Macron’s decision to force a change in the state retirement age without a parliamentary vote.
This Saturday, March 18, there are protests called in cities such as Bordeaux, Nantes, Marseille, Brest and several districts of Paris. These are “resistance” marches, as the unions have alleged, before the general strike next thursday. Meanwhile, Macron has forced the approval of the Law to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64 years.
The move is legal, but it has angered opposition parties and encouraged spontaneous street protests. A rebellion similar to that of the yellow vests 2018. According to Philippe Martínez, leader of the CGT union federation, Macron was “warned” that “the situation was explosive.” “Nobody can say that we didn’t say anything,” he said.
Thousands of French take the Place de la Concorde in Paris for the second consecutive night after the approval of the pension reform of the neoliberal Macron (retirement from 62 to 64 years). They sing between flames: “We beheaded Louis XVI, Macron can do the same.” pic.twitter.com/LJ5aBSY3Ux
— Fonsi Loaiza (@FonsiLoaiza) March 17, 2023
In Paris, the garbage strike, which has been going on for 13 days, is expected to continue until Tuesday. The calculation is that will leave 10,000 tons of waste on the sidewalks of the different districts. The protests, so far, have been peaceful, but right in Paris there were altercations with the police and 61 people were arrested for a fire. In France the figure is increased to about 250.
Although most European countries are above that retirement age, in the case of France there is a huge opposition due to injustice towards those who start working very soon and in physically difficult jobs or for parents who interrupt their careers.
(Macron is not afraid of the street: another revolt and a motion of no confidence is at stake if he approves the pensions)
Opposition parliamentarians have tabled two no-confidence motions, which will be debated in parliament on Monday afternoon. Its objective, get enough support to overthrow the cabinet and guarantee the repeal of the law. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne and her government are expected to survive the vote, which, to succeed, would need the support of at least half of the deputies of the main centre-right opposition party, Les Républicans.
Party leader Éric Ciotti has said he will not submit his own motion of no confidence or vote to overthrow the government, which would probably force early elections. Even if this government survives, Macron has suffered a major blow to his public image.
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