04:09France: Clashes erupt in Paris as govt survives no-confidence vote after pension overhaul
Clashes erupted between riot police and protesters after the French government survived no-confidence votes over pensions in Paris on Monday.
Footage shows protesters overturning trash bins, leaving bicycles on the street and holding placards reading ‘long live public service’ and ‘Democracy in peril’. Riot police could also be seen chasing protesters, clashing and using pepper spray to disperse them.
The French parliament recently rejected two no-confidence motions against President Emmanuel Macron's government. This paves the way for the implementation of the pension reforms which have been met with significant opposition and have triggered fresh protests in Paris.
The first vote was initiated by the "LIOT" parliamentary group, but it fell short of the required majority with 278 votes in favour, just nine votes shy of the required two-thirds majority.
The second motion, proposed by the far-right National Rally, garnered only 94 votes. The proposed pension changes are now deemed accepted and will undergo review by the Constitutional Court before possibly being enforced in the coming days.
The recent clashes occurring in Paris and other parts of the country over pension reform during the last few nights bear a resemblance to the Yellow Vest protests that commenced towards the end of 2018, which were in response to the increased cost of fuel.
On Monday night, demonstrations took place in Dijon, Strasbourg - where a group of protesters shattered the windows of a department store - Lyon, and Rennes. A ninth nationwide day of strikes and protests is reportedly scheduled for Thursday.
04:09Clashes erupted between riot police and protesters after the French government survived no-confidence votes over pensions in Paris on Monday.
Footage shows protesters overturning trash bins, leaving bicycles on the street and holding placards reading ‘long live public service’ and ‘Democracy in peril’. Riot police could also be seen chasing protesters, clashing and using pepper spray to disperse them.
The French parliament recently rejected two no-confidence motions against President Emmanuel Macron's government. This paves the way for the implementation of the pension reforms which have been met with significant opposition and have triggered fresh protests in Paris.
The first vote was initiated by the "LIOT" parliamentary group, but it fell short of the required majority with 278 votes in favour, just nine votes shy of the required two-thirds majority.
The second motion, proposed by the far-right National Rally, garnered only 94 votes. The proposed pension changes are now deemed accepted and will undergo review by the Constitutional Court before possibly being enforced in the coming days.
The recent clashes occurring in Paris and other parts of the country over pension reform during the last few nights bear a resemblance to the Yellow Vest protests that commenced towards the end of 2018, which were in response to the increased cost of fuel.
On Monday night, demonstrations took place in Dijon, Strasbourg - where a group of protesters shattered the windows of a department store - Lyon, and Rennes. A ninth nationwide day of strikes and protests is reportedly scheduled for Thursday.