Massive protests in France, and Macron refuses to back down – Al-Hiwar Al-Jazaeryia

Protests and strikes were renewed this morning, Thursday, in several French cities to put pressure on President Emmanuel Macron and the government to withdraw the pension reform law that raises the age to 64 years, while Macron confirmed that he would not back down from this step.

According to local media, French workers closed one of the halls of Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, while transportation and education services were disrupted and garbage accumulated in major French streets. Between the unions and the authorities and vows to escalate.

It is expected that protest marches will be organized today, Thursday, in various parts of France, which will not discourage President Macron from implementing the plan to reform the retirement system, as he tweeted, calling for unity to overcome these circumstances, and he confirmed yesterday, Wednesday, that the law to reform the retirement system will enter into force at the end of the year. On the other hand, Labor Minister Olivier Dusopt said, “The government does not deny the state of tension in the country, but it wants to move forward with the changes.”

And Felipe Martinez, leader of the General Confederation of Labor, responded by saying that “the best response we can give to the president is the participation of millions in the strikes and their taking to the streets.”