Life in a Medieval Village by Frances Gies

In 2010, millions took to the streets to oppose raising the retirement age by two years to 62 and in 2014 further reforms were met with widespread demonstrations. In 1995, weeks-long mass protests forced the government of the day to abandon plans to reform public sector pensions. Pensions reform has long been a thorny issue in France. Why is this such a big deal for the French?įor the French “it was never about the age of retirement,” said political scientist Dominique Moïsi, “but the balance between work and life.” Here’s all you need to know about the pension reforms. This comes after one of France’s largest unions, the CGT, had called for “historic” protests following months of unrest and widespread strikes that saw transport grind to a halt and garbage mount in the streets of Paris.įrance’s Constitutional Council, which plays a similar role to the US Supreme Court, in April approved the most controversial part of the reform – the raising of the retirement age from 62 to 64.ĭespite the decision, some of France’s powerful unions say they will fight on, with the question now whether this anger will plague the rest of Macron’s time in office or disappear from the streets. Policemen look on during Monday's demonstrations, with fierce clashes between security officials and protesters leading to dozens of arrests. Police charged at protesters under the cover of a water cannon and were confronted with a barrage of fireworks and stones torn from the square. Tear gas choked the air in Place de la Nation as clashes continued and protesters showed no sign of dispersing later on Monday.

Police said two fuel containers in front of a work site were set on fire by a radical fringe, which was later put out.

The building that caught fire at Place de la Nation, the end point of the protest, was contained. It is the second-highest turnout since demonstrations against pension reform began this year, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.Ī CNN team on the ground reported chaotic scenes from the protests, having witnessed fireworks and other projectiles thrown at the police who answered with tear gas as they retreated and regrouped.

Clashes erupted in Paris on Monday marking May 1, a traditional day of union-led marches, in the wake of hugely unpopular changes to France’s pension system that were signed into law last month.Ī building caught fire at Place de la Nation as the French capital turned into a pitched battle between protesters and riot police.Īround 112,000 people took part in Monday’s protest in the French capital, said Paris Police.

Life in a Medieval Village by Frances Gies