03:13France: 'An insult to the people' - Protesters clash with police in Nantes at demo against pension reform
Protesters clashed with police in Nantes on Saturday, after the government pushed through with the pension overhaul.
The streets were filled with tear gas in an attempt by riot police to disperse demonstrators who were furious after French President Emmanuel Macron used his executive power to advance the contested reform a day earlier.
The clashes followed a demonstration where activists carried signs reading 'Water boils at 100 degrees, the people at 49.3', 'Is that your grandfather? No, it's my teacher', among others, while chanting slogans against police.
Speaking during an interview, Victor, a protester, stated "It’s a power grab, surely it is constitutional, but it is renewed practice and in the specific frame of the pension reform, I think that is an insult to the people."
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which increase the retirement age from 62 to 64.However, the vote in the lower house, the National Assembly, was withdrawn at the last minute, with the result believed to be too close to call.French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne then announced the triggering of Article 49.3, the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.
03:13Protesters clashed with police in Nantes on Saturday, after the government pushed through with the pension overhaul.
The streets were filled with tear gas in an attempt by riot police to disperse demonstrators who were furious after French President Emmanuel Macron used his executive power to advance the contested reform a day earlier.
The clashes followed a demonstration where activists carried signs reading 'Water boils at 100 degrees, the people at 49.3', 'Is that your grandfather? No, it's my teacher', among others, while chanting slogans against police.
Speaking during an interview, Victor, a protester, stated "It’s a power grab, surely it is constitutional, but it is renewed practice and in the specific frame of the pension reform, I think that is an insult to the people."
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which increase the retirement age from 62 to 64.However, the vote in the lower house, the National Assembly, was withdrawn at the last minute, with the result believed to be too close to call.French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne then announced the triggering of Article 49.3, the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.