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Nationwide protests persist in France over Macron's plan to hike retirement age

PROTESTERS hit the streets of towns and cities across France today in another show of opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s unpopular plan to raise the retirement age by two years.

The 12th day of massive nationwide protests took place in the run-up to a statement by the Constitutional Council, which is expected to pronounce tomorrow on the proposed increase in the pension age from 62 to 64.

Hours before the Paris march got under way, protesters piled bags of rubbish in front of the Constitutional Council building in a show of the continuing anger at Mr Macron’s plan.

“The mobilisation is far from over,” Sophie Binet, the new general secretary of the left-wing General Confederation of Labour, said at a waste incineration site south of Paris where several hundred protesters obstructed refuse lorries. 

“As long as this reform isn’t withdrawn, the mobilisation will continue in one form or another.”

French Democratic Confederation of Labour general secretary Laurent Berger warned: “If the measure is promulgated, there will be repercussions,” noting the “silent anger” among the union rank and file.

The eight union confederations, the French Communist Party, other left organisations and student unions have all been central to the fight against the attack on pension rights.

Movement of Young Communists national co-ordinator Assan Lakehoul tweeted: “In high schools, in universities, in clubs, young communists are mobilising” against the Macron plan.

Dozens of railway workers marched past luxury Paris stores, including along the Champs-Elysees, calling for the pension burden to be shouldered by the rich rather than workers.

“We must get out of this situation. And the best way is the withdrawal of the law, either by the Constitutional Council or by mobilisation, which we want to maintain,” said Fabien Villedieu of the Sud-Rail union.

During a state visit to the Netherlands on Wednesday, President Macron proposed “an exchange” with opponents of his plans to follow up the Constitutional Council decision. 

There has been no formal response to his offer to date.

Thousands of people marched in Toulouse, in the south-west, and elsewhere.

In the western city of Rennes, television showed firefighters extinguishing a burning car.

Legislators opposing the pension reforms have filed a request to start a lengthy process that could lead to a referendum being held on a proposal for the legal retirement age to not exceed 62.

Supporters of the referendum option will have a nine-month period to register at least 4.8 million signatures — 10 per cent of voters.

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