[France] Protests over government decision on pension reform intensify

In central Paris, violent confrontations broke out between protesters and security forces across several nights last week over the government’s decision to abandon a parliamentary vote on unpopular pension reforms, AIR News reports.

According to a police statement, around 4,000 people gathered in Place d’Italie on March 18 after being banned from demonstrating close to the National Assembly building due to angry clashes on previous nights.

Riot police reportedly used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd and 73 people were subsequently arrested. In addition, violence was reported in the southeastern city of Lyon for a second night after small groups clashed with police officers several times, prompting a response that included tear gas.

Rival opposition parties filed two separate no-confidence motions - due to be debated on March 20 - following ministers’ approval of the plan by decree on March 16, bypassing the lower house of Parliament.

Source: AIR News

In central Paris, violent confrontations broke out between protesters and security forces across several nights last week over the government’s decision to abandon a parliamentary vote on unpopular pension reforms, AIR News reports.

According to a police statement, around 4,000 people gathered in Place d’Italie on March 18 after being banned from demonstrating close to the National Assembly building due to angry clashes on previous nights.

Riot police reportedly used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd and 73 people were subsequently arrested. In addition, violence was reported in the southeastern city of Lyon for a second night after small groups clashed with police officers several times, prompting a response that included tear gas.

Rival opposition parties filed two separate no-confidence motions - due to be debated on March 20 - following ministers’ approval of the plan by decree on March 16, bypassing the lower house of Parliament.

Source: AIR News