02:00France: Protesters block traffic in Paris as thousands protest pension reforms, president’s use of executive override
Protesters attempted to block the traffic on the streets of Paris on Thursday, following President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to force through his pension changes earlier in the day.
Footage shows demonstrators moving barriers into place and walking between stationary cars, as riot police tried to remove them. A fire is seen burning in the middle of the road, while other groups of protesters are seen marching and chanting in the streets.
On Thursday, Macron decided to use executive privilege to pass his pension reforms without a vote in the National Assembly.
The Senate passed the proposals by 193-144, which increase the retirement age from 62 to 64.
However, the vote in the lower house was withdrawn at the last minute, with the result believed to be too close to call.
Regular demonstrations and strikes against the bill have taken place in recent months, with rallies expected to intensify following the use of the executive power.
02:00Protesters attempted to block the traffic on the streets of Paris on Thursday, following President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to force through his pension changes earlier in the day.
Footage shows demonstrators moving barriers into place and walking between stationary cars, as riot police tried to remove them. A fire is seen burning in the middle of the road, while other groups of protesters are seen marching and chanting in the streets.
On Thursday, Macron decided to use executive privilege to pass his pension reforms without a vote in the National Assembly.
The Senate passed the proposals by 193-144, which increase the retirement age from 62 to 64.
However, the vote in the lower house was withdrawn at the last minute, with the result believed to be too close to call.
Regular demonstrations and strikes against the bill have taken place in recent months, with rallies expected to intensify following the use of the executive power.