"France Is Furious": Anger Grows at Macron for Raising Retirement Age as Millions Strike & Protest
French unions say nearly 3.5 million people took to the streets Thursday in a nationwide general strike to protest President Emmanuel Macron's deeply unpopular move to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. Macron forced the legislation through the French National Assembly last week, using a constitutional clause to bypass a parliamentary vote. Macron's government survived a vote of no confidence Monday by just nine votes, but public anger shows no signs of abating, with France's major trade unions planning another nationwide protest for Tuesday. "Not only is the government trying to do this pension reform that people see as fundamentally unfair, but they're ignoring historically large protests even by French standards," says journalist Cole Stranger from Marseille. His new guest essay in _The New York Times_ is headlined "France Is Furious."
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France pension reform: Strike funds have taken in record amounts • FRANCE 24 English
In France, unions say strike funds have taken in record amounts since the start of industrial action against pension reform. Around four million euros have been raised.
#France #pension #strike
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Risking it all, reform by 'force majeure': Will 'constitutional crisis' send govt into retirement?
French President Emmanuel Macron ordered his prime minister to wield a special constitutional power on Thursday that skirts parliament to force through a highly unpopular bill raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a vote. His calculated risk set off a clamor among lawmakers, who began singing the national anthem even before Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne arrived in the lower chamber. She spoke forcefully over their shouts, acknowledging that Macron's unilateral move will trigger quick motions of no-confidence in his government. The fury of opposition lawmakers echoed the anger of citizens and workers' unions. Thousands gathered at the Place de la Concorde facing the National Assembly, lighting a bonfire. As night fell, police charged against the demonstrators in waves to clear the elegant Place, but hundreds remained nearly an hour later. For more on the ensuing 'constitutional crisis,' FRANCE 24 is joined by Eric Fassin, Professor of Sociology in the Department of Political Science, Department of Gender Studies and the Laboratory of Gender and Human Sexuality Studies (CNRS / University of Paris VIII / Paris-Ouest).
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Emmanuel Macron left 'weakened and isolated' as the French government invokes Article 49.3
IN THE PRESS - Friday, March 17: We look at the press reaction to the French government invoking Article 49.3, forcing through Emmanuel Macron's controversial pension reforms. In other news: 2.5 tonnes of missing uranium have been found in Libya, sparking questions surrounding nuclear security. Also, find out why New York churches are making concessions on St. Patrick's Day. Finally, the Ireland rugby team are getting ready for one the biggest matches in their history!
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