02:18France: Fires rage in Paris streets after Macron forces through pension changes
Several fires were set alight in the streets of Paris on Thursday as protests intensified following President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to force through pension changes without a vote in the lower house of parliament.
Firefighters could be seen battling blazes in the streets of the French capital where hundreds of protesters had gathered. Police officers were seen making arrests, with around 300 detentions in total, according to media reports.
Earlier, 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However, the vote in the lower house, the National Assembly, was withdrawn at the last minute, with the result believed to be too close to call.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne then announced the triggering of Article 49.3, the special constitutional power, to pass the legislation.
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.
02:18Several fires were set alight in the streets of Paris on Thursday as protests intensified following President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to force through pension changes without a vote in the lower house of parliament.
Firefighters could be seen battling blazes in the streets of the French capital where hundreds of protesters had gathered. Police officers were seen making arrests, with around 300 detentions in total, according to media reports.
Earlier, 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However, the vote in the lower house, the National Assembly, was withdrawn at the last minute, with the result believed to be too close to call.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne then announced the triggering of Article 49.3, the special constitutional power, to pass the legislation.
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.