Nationwide Protests in France after Macron Vowed to Push on With Pension Bill

Workers on strike hold CGT labor union flags as they walk on a platform during a demonstration inside the railway station on the eve of the ninth day of national strike and protests, and after the pension reform was adopted as the French Parliament rejected two motions of no-confidence against the government, in Nice, France, March 22, 2023. Éric Gaillard, Reuters

Hundreds of thousands of people were set to strike and demonstrate in France on Thursday after President Emmanuel Macron vowed to push on with a deeply unpopular pension reform despite escalating anger across the country.

Protests against the legislation -- which lifts the retirement age by two years to 64 -- have drawn huge crowds in rallies organized by unions since January, Reuters said.