Anti-government protests erupted in France last night as demonstrators voiced opposition to a pension reform decreed by the government. The reform hikes the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64, a move that has sparked passionate reactions across the country and intensified debates about the future of France’s social guarantees.
The turnout appeared to be smaller than the previous day’s demonstrations. On Thursday night, shortly after the reform was approved, reports indicated more than 200 people mobilized nationwide. The scene suggested a shift in momentum, with smaller groups forming in several cities rather than a single, large nationwide surge.
This new form of protest, organized independently of traditional political parties and major trade unions, has shown greater volatility and unpredictability. At the moment, the total number of mobilizations planned for Sunday remains unclear as organizers weigh other venues and methods to express discontent.
In Paris, authorities reported 81 detainees following a demonstration at Place d’Italie, a location chosen after protests in Place de la Concorde were curtailed due to the recent rioting. The crowd in Place d’Italie grew with participants joining in from nearby areas, while dozens were taken into custody after the events in the prior square.
The march concluded with chants criticizing President Macron’s governance, accompanied by the reckless use of containers set on fire and barricades erected along routes. Police responded with tear gas as some demonstrators discharged fireworks into the air, underscoring a tense atmosphere and a readiness on both sides to push the confrontation forward.
Estimates placed total attendance at roughly 4,000 people at Place d’Italie, signaling a sustained interest in the issue despite the shifting dynamics of protest across the city.
In Lyon, about 17 people were arrested in a smaller demonstration that drew between 400 and 500 participants, illustrating how regional protests continue even as major urban centers face their own security concerns and crowd dynamics.
Meanwhile the pension reform continued to weigh on President Macron’s public standing. A recent survey showed that only about 28 percent of French residents approve of his leadership, marking a historic dip reminiscent of discontent seen during the Yellow Vest movement several years ago. The public mood has grown strained as debates over reform, economy, and social protection persist.
Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, the second-in-command in the government, asserted in a Le Parisien interview that the reform would be implemented and warned that violence would not be tolerated in protests. These statements reflect a broader government stance that prioritizes the reform’s rollout while signaling a firm line against disorder.
The government faces two no-confidence motions introduced today by a coalition of centrists and regionalists who are backed by factions on the left and far right. Yet the likelihood of those motions succeeding remains uncertain given current political divisions and the delicate balance within the Assembly. The administration has cited Article 49.3 in discussions about the reform, using it to push the measure forward in the face of opposition and without an absolute majority.
Trade unions have pressed on with strikes in opposition to the reform. The protests have disrupted several refineries and led to pauses in garbage collection in Paris, creating everyday disruptions that touch many residents who rely on public services and utilities. While the government has directed workers back for public health reasons, thousands of tons of rubbish continue to accumulate on the streets, a visible sign of the ongoing labor conflict and urban strain.
City authorities in Paris estimated that the accumulated waste reached around 10,000 tons, a figure reflecting both the scale of the strike actions and the challenges of maintaining city services during a period of stalled normalcy. The scenario underscores the tension between protest pressures and municipal governance as Paris and other cities navigate public order, service delivery, and citizen sentiment.