French unions see threat of Yellow Vest rerun over Macron's retirement push

A protester wearing a yellow vest holds smoke flares during a protest against pension reform in Nantes, western France, on March 16, 2023. © Loïc Venance, AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron's move to force through his deeply unpopular pension reform without a vote in parliament could rekindle social unrest reminiscent of the Yellow Vest movement, union leaders and analysts have warned as protests continue to sweep the country.

French police on Saturday banned protests on Paris's Place de la Concorde across from parliament and the nearby Champs Elysees after two nights of unrest.