Demonstrators set to paralyse France in massive pension reform protests

Bus drivers of state-owned RATP, which operates the greater Paris transport system, burn flares behind a banner reading in French "on March 7, we’ll block everything until withdrawal" on a bridge above Paris's ring road on March 6, 2023, a day ahead of the massive strikes that have been announced to protest the government’s proposed pension reform. © Thomas Samson, AFP

France’s trade unions were headed for a crucial face-off with President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, with fresh strikes and protests planned against a controversial pensions reform he has championed.

Unions have vowed to bring the country to a standstill over the proposed changes, which include raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 and increasing the number of years workers have to make contributions for a full pension.