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France: Several detained as clashes break out at protest against Macron's pension reform  in Lyon03:21

France: Several detained as clashes break out at protest against Macron's pension reform in Lyon

France, Lyon
March 19, 2023 at 00:56 GMT +00:00 · Published

Protests against the French pension reform continued in Lyon on Saturday.

Tensions began to rise as the day progressed, with some demonstrators throwing objects at police and causing unrest. Riot police were deployed to the area to contain the situation, resulting in clashes with protesters and detentions.

The protest comes after French President Emmanuel Macron decided to use executive privilege to pass his pension reforms without a vote in the National Assembly on Friday.

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However, the vote in the lower house, the National Assembly, was withdrawn at the last minute, with the result believed to be too close to call.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 executive power.

France: Several detained as clashes break out at protest against Macron's pension reform  in Lyon03:21
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Protests against the French pension reform continued in Lyon on Saturday.

Tensions began to rise as the day progressed, with some demonstrators throwing objects at police and causing unrest. Riot police were deployed to the area to contain the situation, resulting in clashes with protesters and detentions.

The protest comes after French President Emmanuel Macron decided to use executive privilege to pass his pension reforms without a vote in the National Assembly on Friday.

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However, the vote in the lower house, the National Assembly, was withdrawn at the last minute, with the result believed to be too close to call.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 executive power.