French President Emmanuel Macron has to push through new legislation, which would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, using Article 49. 3 of the constitution, which allows him to pass a law without a parliamentary vote. Protests
Protesters have piled up in cities like Bordeaux, Marseille and while they continue to call for a vote, Macron does not seem convinced it will pass.
PROTESTS AGAINST PENSIONS IN FRANCE
Demonstrators hold banners as they gather at the Plos angelesce de los angeles Concorde near the National Assembly, with the Eiffel Tower in the background, to protest after French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne delivered a speech delivering the use of Article 49. 3, a special clos angelesuse in the French constitution, to push the pension reform bill through reducing parliament space without a vote. through Los Angeleswmakers. Paris, France, March 16, 2023. (Reuters/Pascal Rossignol)
Despite Paris’ ban, protests continued Saturday and gathered in the grocery shopping district of Les Halles in central Paris, according to Politico.
A protester holds a cutout depicting French President Emmanuel Macron near the fireplace a demonstration in Plos angelesce de los angeles Concorde to protest the French government’s use of Article 49. 3, a special clos angelesuse in the French constitution, to push the pension reform bill in the National Assembly without a vote through the angeleswmakers. in Paris, France, March 17, 2023. (Reuters/Gonzalo Fuentes)
More than 8 in 10 people are dissatisfied with the government’s resolution to skip a vote in parliament, and 65% need movements and protests to continue, according to a Toluna Harris Interactive ballot for RTL radio.
French gendarmes and police stand near a fireplace as protesters gather in Plos angelesce de los angeles Concorde near the National Assembly in Paris, France, March 16, 2023. (Reuters/Lucien Libert)
The protests have affected several major industries, in addition to refineries, garbage collection and railways, The Guardian reported.
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CGT union leader Philippe Martinez said the organization had made it clear to Macron that protests would continue as long as he pursued his plan to impose the legislation.
Gendarmerie members stand guard at a protest at the Plos angelesce de los angeles Concorde in Paris, France, March 17, 2023. (Reuters/Gonzalo Fuentes)
“No one can say we didn’t say anything: We told him,” Martinez said, adding that “the scenario is explosive. “
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Street protests have been largely peaceful, but police clashed with protesters on Friday night and another 61 people were arrested after lighting a fireplace near the National Assembly. Protesters chanted “Macron, resign!” while clashing with a line of insurrectionist police.
A protester launches a projectile amid clashes at a protest after French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne used Article 49. 3, a special clause of the French constitution, to push for pension reform in the National Assembly without a vote by lawmakers, in Nantes, France, March. January 16, 2023. (Reuters/Stephane Mahé)
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More than 300 people have been arrested across the country, adding up to 258 in the vicinity of the National Assembly in recent days.
A broad alliance of France’s main unions said it would continue to seek to force a U-turn in the changes.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Peter Aitken is a Fox News Digital reporter specializing in national news.