Trial by Fire: France is Rocked with Protests

When Emanuel Macron unveiled his pension reform plan, which implies a gradual increase in the retirement age over several years, a wave of protests erupted, with over 1 million people across the country taking part in most of them. During the rallies, there were a number of violent clashes between protesters and security forces.

Tensions increased when, on March 16, the French government invoked Article 49.3 of the Constitution, which allowed it to bypass the Parliament and adopt the pension reform bill.

1 / 12

A person walks past a fire at the entrance of a BNP Paribas bank branch during a demonstration in Nantes, inwestern France.

2 / 12

Protesters use a sidewalk tree grid to break the window of a shop on the sidelines of a demonstration as part of a national day of strikes and protests.

3 / 12

Employees of the Republican Security Company (CRS) try to maintain order during protests in Paris.

/

Go to the mediabank

4 / 12

A protester ducks next to a fire during a demonstration.

5 / 12

A man cycles past a message that reads, 'Democracy 49.3', daubed on the side one a tram carriage as demonstrations take place across France.

6 / 12

Firefighters put out a fire at a garbage dump ignited by protesters.

/

Go to the mediabank

7 / 12

Protesters walk past a damaged bus stop during a demonstration.

8 / 12

Protesters set up a flaming barricade across railway tracks at a train station during a demonstration.

9 / 12

People destroy an office's window on the sidelines of a demonstration.

10 / 12

A protester holds a portrait of French President Emmanuel Macron next to a fire ready to burn it.

11 / 12

Police use tear gas to disperse protesters

/

Go to the mediabank

12 / 12

Unionists stand in front of a fire during a blockade of
the Port of Marseille (Port Autonome de Marseille).

Trial by Fire: Protests Against Pension Reform Engulf France