France lives the anger of the pension reform in the protests of Labor Day

In Paris and Lyon, there have been clashes between the police and protesters, many of them wearing yellow vests… A reminder of the explosion of violence that the country experienced at the end of 2018.

This first of May, Labor Daypresented in France the opportunity to protest against the pension reform.

Across the country, hundreds of thousands of people have marched in various cities to express their opposition to the measure that raises the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64 years. Unions see it as a threat to workers’ rights. Their mobilization has given rise to a large-scale social movement.

“We have mobilization figures that are historic for a May Day, it is a sign on the social issue, not on the political issue as in 2002. It is a sign that resentment and anger do not diminish,” Laurent Berger told Euronews , General Secretary of the CFDT union.

Approved by decree, the reform is rejected by 7 out of 10 French. A sometimes visceral opposition, which the Government tries to contain.

12,000 police and gendarmes have been mobilized throughout France, 5,000 in Paris. At the moment, the atmosphere is festive and popular. The unions want to make this May Day a massive demonstration. It is also the first time in almost 15 years that they have come together to march together in this work party.

The initial calm soon degenerated into moments of tension. In Paris and Lyon, there have been clashes between police and protesters, many of them with yellow vests. A reminder of the explosion of violence that the country experienced at the end of 2018.

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