French police clash with black-clad anarchists during May Day rallies

The EU Reporter website published an article on the protests against the pension reform of French President Emmanuel Macron. Caliber.Az reprints the article.

French police clashed in Paris and in other cities with hundreds of anarchists dressed in black during protests led by unions against President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to raise the retirement age. Workers held rallies on Labour Day across Europe.

Demonstrators attacked the Paris police force with Molotov cocktail and fireworks. They also set fire to building materials and destroyed bus stops. The peaceful protesters booed police officers as they used tear gas and batons to respond.

Water cannons were used by emergency services to extinguish a fire that had blackened windows in nearby apartments. A fiery projectile struck an officer, causing him to be badly injured.

In Lyon and Nantes there was also violence, with some cars being set on fire and businesses being trashed. According to the interior ministry, nearly 200 people were detained on a single day when 782,000 people were out in the streets.

Macron raised the retirement age to 64 last month despite strikes in multiple sectors. This move sank his popularity to levels similar to those seen during the Yellow Vest crisis of 2018 and 2019.

The reform has crystallised the discontent towards a president who is perceived by many to be aloof and indifferent. He has been encountered on walkabouts intended to rebuild support through heckling and pot-banging.

Let's say that it is not working. "So much the better!" said sculptor Antoine Eveillo.

The trade unions called for an increased turnout to pressure Macron's government into a U-turn. Macron had forced his pension law through the National Assembly without a vote at the end, as it lacked a majority.

A substantial majority of French citizens opposes the raising of retirement age.

Sophie Binet of the CGT, a hard-left union, said: "The executive cannot rule without the support from its people."

Retirement before arthritis

Binet stated that the CGT has not yet decided if it will participate in discussions with the government about other labour-related topics such as salaries and working conditions, or hardship benefits.

Laurent Berger, leader of the moderate CFDT union, said that his union would take part in these discussions.

Berger dismissed the idea that an alliance of the major trade unions would be tested after the pension bill was signed into law.

The French social protection system relies heavily on the pension system. A banner with the words "Retirement Before Arthritis!" was displayed. Many people were disgusted by being told to continue working.

In other parts of Europe, the three major unions in Italy protested against a labour package that was approved by the right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Melons.

During a march in Zurich, Swiss demonstrators spray-painted and threw waterballons at the police.

Macron claims that the French reform will help to shore up the generous pension system in France, which is one of the most industrialised countries.

French pensions are a higher percentage of earnings before retirement. A Frenchman will spend more time in retirement.

Michel Maingy, a retired metalworker, said that he believed the battle for pensions had been lost. He said that despite the fact that there are still battles to win in negotiations about working conditions.

He said, "We must keep our heads up" ahead of the protest in Nantes.

The political opposition hardening could complicate the rest of Macron’s reform agenda. This includes an employment bill which would require people receiving minimum welfare benefits to work or receive training for 20 hours per week.

Fitch cut France’s sovereign credit ratings on April 28, one notch down to "AA+". They cited social unrest and a potential political impasse.