Anger at Macron mounts as French unions hold new protests

PARIS –

French unions on Thursday are holding their first mass demonstrations since President Emmanuel Macron infected public anger by forcing the next retirement age by parliament with no vote. Strikes are upending journey, and blockades are anticipated at ports, refineries and rubbish dumps.

Violence has intensified in current days at scattered protests towards the pension reform and Macron’s management.

Macron is stubbornly resisting the rising discontent on the streets of France, saying Wednesday that the pension invoice to lift the retirement age from 62 to 64 have to be carried out by the tip of the yr.

Critics attacked Macron for the remarks, describing him as “self-satisfied,” “out of touch” and “offensive.”

The president’s feedback Wednesday had been his first because the authorities pressured the pension invoice by parliament final week for lack of sufficient help. The authorities then survived two no-confidence votes within the decrease chamber of parliament Monday.

The invoice should now move a assessment by France’s Constitutional Council earlier than changing into regulation.

The 45-year-old centrist president, in his second and last time period, repeatedly mentioned he was satisfied that France’s retirement system wanted to be modified to maintain it financed. Opponents suggest different options together with greater taxes on the rich or firms, which Macron says would harm the economic system.