French Citizens Take to the Streets in Protest Over Government’s Decision to Pass Pension Reforms Without a Vote

Thousands of French citizens took to the streets in protest on Thursday evening following the government’s decision to pass pension reforms without a vote from the country’s lower house. The reforms, which will push up the retirement age from 62 to 64, were already controversial, but the manner in which the bill was approved sparked the most anger.

Polling from IFOP shows that 83% of young adults and 78% of those over 35 found the government’s decision to use article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass the bill without a vote “unjustified.” Protests broke out in Paris and several other cities, including Rennes in the west and Marseilles in the south.

In Paris, thousands gathered in Place de la Concorde, which faces the National Assembly building, and sporadic protests persisted into the night. Smoke was seen rising early Friday over Gare du Lyon, a busy rail station on the eastern side of town.

The decision to pass the bill without a vote was made by President Emmanuel Macron, who is facing a divided Parliament and lacks the support of the right-wing Republican Party. Even among pro-Macron voters, the move has been met with fury.

The protests come as the government faces increasing pressure to abandon the reforms. It remains to be seen whether the demonstrations will have any effect on the government’s decision.