Trade unions launched a third wave of nationwide strikes on Tuesday against President Emmanuel Macron's plans to make the French work longer before retirement, a day after parliament began debate on the bill. Read our live blog below to see how all the day's events unfolded.
- People took to the streets for a third day of strikes Tuesday against government plans to reform the pension system, of which a proposal to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 is among the most controversial. Public transport was disrupted and refinery deliveries were halted across France as workers walked out on the job, with unions urging the public to take to the streets in large numbers. A first day of strikes on January 19 brought more than a million people out onto the streets.
- French President Emmanuel Macron insists the proposed changes are needed to reform a moribund system – but some of the government’s own experts have said the pension system is in relatively good shape and would likely eventually return to a balanced budget even without reforms.
- The multi-sector walkouts came a day after parliament began debating the controversial pension reform legislation, which will likely be a test of Macron’s ability to affect change without a working majority in the National Assembly.
- More than 750,000 people turned out for protests across France, according to the interior ministry, 57,000 of whom were in Paris. Union organisers estimated participation nationwide at close to 2 million, according to the hardline CGT.
- Protesters clashed with police in the northwestern city of Rennes. Thirteen people were arrested, according to the police. Scuffles also broke out in Paris, according to witnesses.
- Organisers have planned a fourth day of strikes and protest for Saturday, February 11.
