Again strikes and protests against France’s pension reform

Paris. After the unsuccessful talks between the French trade unions and the government on the pension reform, strikes and protests against the project are once again taking place in France.

Demonstrators reportedly blocked access to part of Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, and roads and universities were also blocked in various places. The authorities expect up to 800,000 demonstrators across the country against the gradual increase in the retirement age from 62 to 64 years.

Invaded company building in Paris

Opponents of the pension reform have broken into a company building in Paris. Videos taken Thursday showed them holding flares and chanting. “It takes money to fund our pension system. There are some here,” a spokesman for the railway workers’ union CGT Cheminots called into the megaphone, according to the newspaper “Le Parisien”. “Instead of taking two years of life from the workers, Macron should look for it here.” The building is also home to US wealth manager Blackrock, who did not comment when asked.

During Macron’s first term in office, Blackrock had become something of an enemy during the strikes and protests against the pension reform planned at the time – opponents of the reform believed that the asset manager was benefiting from Macron’s reform plans and had influenced the plans. Blackrock denied this. Blackrock has not played a role in the current protests against the pension reform.

However, the reform has not yet come into force. Macron wants this to happen by the end of the year. The project is currently being examined by the Constitutional Council. MPs, senators and Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne called the authority to examine the text. The Constitutional Council can overturn part or all of the reform or declare it constitutional. Next week Friday he wants to announce his decision.

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