Protests Across France as Macron Sticks to Pension Law

Angry French workers protesting the increase in the retirement age blocked access to one of the terminals at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris today, Thursday, as part of nationwide protests, forcing some travelers to walk to the airport. Train services were disrupted, some schools were closed, garbage piled up in the streets, and electricity generation was affected as unions ramped up pressure on the government to withdraw the law that raises the retirement age by two years to 64. Columns of smoke were seen rising from piles of burning debris that hindered traffic on a highway near Toulouse in southwestern France, and strikes temporarily closed roads in other cities. A spokesperson for Paris airports stated that the protest near Terminal 1 at Charles de Gaulle Airport had no impact on flights. Demonstrations are scheduled to take place across the country later today, with other protests targeting oil depots and closing a liquefied natural gas station in the northern city of Dunkirk. President Emmanuel Macron stated yesterday, Wednesday, that the law, which the government passed in parliament without a vote last week, will come into effect by the end of the year despite increasing anger in the country. Philippe Martinez, leader of the General Confederation of Labor, said, "The best response we can give to the president is for millions to partake in strikes and take to the streets." Protests against the changes, which also include an increase in the number of years one needs to work to receive a full pension, have attracted massive crowds in demonstrations organized by unions since January. The latest wave of protests represents the biggest challenge to the president’s authority since the "Yellow Vests" protests four years ago. Polls show that the majority of French citizens oppose the pension law as well as the government's decision to pass it in parliament without a vote. Labor Minister Olivier Dussopt stated that the government does not deny the state of tension in the country but wants to move forward with the changes.