“He doesn’t listen. France fumes at Macron for imposing pension reform – POLITICO

PARIS — Mass protests hit France on Thursday, urging the government to withdraw a controversial pension overhaul and attacking French President Emmanuel Macron for forcing the reform on parliament.

The strikes affect sectors such as public transport, schools, power plants and refineries. In Paris, protesters began gathering in Place de la Bastille – the site where the French Revolution began – surrounded by smoke from grilled sausages and firecrackers, and loud French rap songs.

Later in the afternoon, things started to turn violent in Paris as some protesters confronted with the police.

Demonstrators are protesting not only against the reform – which would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 and extend contributions to obtain a full pension – but also against the government’s decision to circumvent a parliamentary vote on the text last week, fearing he would not have enough votes in parliament.

“It set everything on fire” said Xavier Pacot, a 40-year-old worker at EDF’s Gravelines nuclear power plant in northern France. Pacot said the controversial parliamentary decision fueled opposition against the government. “Now even the executives support us,” he added.

The protests come a day after Macron dug in to defend his pension reform and constitutional maneuver in a TV interview. Pacot watched the interview with his colleagues at the Gravelines picket line, but he was not satisfied with Macron’s explanations.

Polls show he is far from alone.

According to a poll released Thursday by consultancy Elabe, more than 60% of respondents said Macron refused to show any signs of backing down. inflamed the situation.

“It’s a mess in the country because of his stubbornness,” said Gregory Lewandowski, 51, an electronics engineer for French industrial champion Thales.

Bypassing the parliamentary vote “has added an extra layer to people’s anger. This shows that he does not listen to his fellow citizens,” he argued. “People are here for different reasons. It’s a general dissatisfaction with inflation, with working conditions. It might turn into something bigger.

During his first term, Macron faced violent protests from the massive Yellow Vests movement, which lasted for months.

In his interview this week, the French president insisted there was a difference between “legitimate” peaceful protesters and violent actors. He also warned of a Capitol Hill-style riot on Jan. 6. “We will not tolerate any explosions,” he said.

Riot police march towards protesters surrounded by fireworks during a demonstration | Alain Jocard/AFP via Getty Images

Strikes began across France in early 2023 and continued this week. Macron’s government survived a no-confidence vote last Monday by just a nine-vote margin, casting doubts on the executive’s ability to continue running the country.

In the TV interview, the French president said he regretted “not being able to convince people”, but also said he had no intention of replacing current Prime Minister Elisabeth Thick headed.

Opponents of the government also include those not immediately affected by the reform.

Lou Samson, a high school student protesting in Place de la Bastille with her classmates, said she was fighting “for my parents and for our future” and expected “more violence” if the government did not back down.

Carmen Michalak, 62, former cash manager of the nuclear group Orano, will not be affected by the reform because she has already retired. “When we protest, we do it not only for ourselves but for others. Everyone should have the right to enjoy their old age,” she said, before leaving to join the parade of protesters.

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