Clashes between protesters and police in Paris against pension reform

The Praça da República, in Paris, has been the scene of clashes between the population and the police in yet another demonstration against the pension reform, which plans to raise the minimum retirement age by two years.

According to Le Parisian, agents have already been forced to use tear gas. At the same time, the protesters chanted “everyone hates the police”.

According to a police source, the organizers have already left the demonstration area, but a group of individuals launched projectiles in the direction of the firefighters. However, a witness at the scene says that the protesters only blocked the truck.

Premiers incidents after caillassage #manifestations pic.twitter.com/YQoCukJUZv

– Denis Courtine (@DenisCourtine) March 21, 2023

The pension reform, which includes raising the minimum retirement age to 64, is the main reason for the protests and is also one of the flagships of Macron’s mandate, which was re-elected last April.

Because the president does not have an absolute majority in the House of Representatives, he chose to pass the reform without a vote in parliament, allowing the opposition to table two motions of censure. However, the motions were defeated on Monday, so the reform is now considered approved.

Plusieurs milliers de personnes rassemblées à République contre la reforme des retreates et le 49-3. Ambiance plutôt bon enfant #manifestation #to withdraw pic.twitter.com/xIWh7BqN9W

– Denis Courtine (@DenisCourtine) March 21, 2023

After the rejection of the censure motions, dozens of people gathered in a Parisian tourist square, next to Napoleon’s mausoleum, where they held small gatherings during which garbage cans and accumulated rubbish were burned.

This is the fifth consecutive day of rioting in several cities after the executive decided last Thursday to pass the pension reform without a parliamentary vote.

While various sectors, from transport, education or waste collection, have been on strike for several days and intend to continue, the unions called for a ninth day of demonstrations on Thursday.