2023-05-01 22:17:34
???????? | Protests in Paris for May 1: pic.twitter.com/zjORWP1mhb
— Alerta News 24 (@AlertaNews24) May 1, 2023
In France, protests took place on May 1 against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform. Despite Macron’s attempts to end the reform debate, police used tear gas in Paris and other cities, while 291 people were detained and 108 police officers were injured. According to the interior ministry, approximately 782,000 people took part in the protests across the country, while unions put the number at 2.3 million.
The proposed reform would increase the retirement age from 62 to 64 years, but some government experts have claimed that the pension system is in good shape and will return to a balanced budget, even without reforms. The public was especially offended after the government used Article 49.3 to force the reform without a vote in parliament.
Although May 1 is celebrated around the world as a labor rights holiday, this year’s demonstrations also reflected a broader frustration with inflation and economic justice.
French workers in permanent state of protest
In Paris, protesters showed “a united front” and renewed their “motivation” in the fight against Macron’s reform, according to reports. The use of camera-equipped drones for crowd surveillance during protests was approved for French police, but rights groups have filed a complaint against the move, claiming that using drones in this way violates fundamental rights.
Although Macron thanked French workers for their contributions to the nation, he did not mention the ongoing protests across the country.. Amid the clashes, several journalists were injured while covering the events.
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