France Has It’s Sixth and Largest Protest in the Last Month

OAN Geraldyn Berry
UPDATED 5:41 PM PT – Wednesday, March 8, 2023

In protest of President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to increase the retirement age from 64 to 64, more than 1.2 million people marched the streets in France.

Philippe Martinez is the head of CGT union. He stated that protest movements are “entering a new phase.”

“The goal is that the government withdraw its draft reform. Full stop,” He said.

Large crowds marched through Marseille, Nice, and other major cities Tuesday. Other major cities, such as Lyon, Nantes or Rennes were also full of people.

“The idea is to bring France to a standstill,” Fabrice Michaud from the CGT railway worker branch trade union.

Rail unions are requesting indefinite and rolling strikes. Truck drivers, bin collectors, and truck drivers have all joined the fight, which could impact domestic and international trains as well as the Eurostar.

Reports indicate that 39% to 49% of workers working at SNCF, the state-owned rail operator, were out on strike.

Political representatives joined the march against Macron along with workers from public sectors.

Jean-Luc Melenchon from Hard Left, a politician who finished third in last years presidential election was also among the participants in Paris March. His political party should be recognized. “unite, and stand up to the reforms.”

The sixth day in a row of nationwide strikes has taken place since January. Tuesday’s demonstration is the sixth. This is the most significant protest.

Many businesses and services were shut down, as well as railway transport and schools.

Gerald Darmanin (Interior Minister) stated that 11,000 officers were deployed across France, with 5,000 of them in Paris.

French President Macron’s reform will raise the age at which an official pension is granted from 62 years to 64. To receive a full retirement pension, citizens would need to work 43 years. France is seeing an increase in its population and longer life expectancy.

Polls show that French citizens have rejected the bill. However, the government is hopeful that parliament will vote in favor of the reforms by March 31st. These reforms are set to go into effect in September.

“I can understand that not many people want to work two more years, but it’s necessary to ensure the viability of the system,” French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne said.

President Emmanuel Macron, his government and the French president claim this is a necessary reform. “essential to save the French pay-as-you-go system.” It has been confirmed by his government. “non-negotiable.”

According to France’s labour ministry, the change would yield an additional €17.7 billion in annual pension contributions.