Paris and other French cities witness clashes during pension reform protests
Police in Paris unleashed tear gas as demonstrators pelted the streets with bottles during protests against the government’s pension reform plan. The action marked a tense start to a day of nationwide demonstrations, with security forces trying to deter further unrest in the capital.
Violence erupted along Voltaire Avenue in central Paris as protesters and police confronted one another. In total, 22 people were detained in the capital amid the clashes, underscoring the commitment on both sides to the protest movement and the authorities’ readiness to respond to aggression.
Similar scenes occurred in other French cities. In Bordeaux, tensions escalated with police again using tear gas to disperse crowds. Rennes saw water cannons deployed in response to protesters throwing stones at officers, highlighting the varied police tactics employed across different municipalities to manage the demonstrations.
Estimates from the authorities indicated a substantial turnout nationwide, with 516,000 people participating in protests across the country on that day. The mobilization reflected broad support for the cause in several regions, even as security measures increased to maintain public order and facilitate safe demonstrations.
Public spaces and famous landmarks faced disruption due to the strikes and the scale of demonstrations. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, and the Arc de Triomphe were closed to visitors as precautionary steps, a decision that affected tourism and daily life while protecting the sites and those who operate around them.
In Paris, the disruption extended to sanitation services, with more than 7,800 tons of garbage accumulating on the streets as a result of the protests and the reduced municipal cleaning operations during the strike period. City officials emphasized the challenge of maintaining city services amid sustained demonstrations across the country, urging residents and visitors to plan for possible delays and restrictions.
Analysts noted that the protests reflect deeper debates inside French society over retirement age, social protections, and the balance between fiscal reform and public sector commitments. The government defended the reform package as necessary for long-term financial stability, while many in the streets argued that the changes would affect workers and future generations. The day’s events illustrated how a single issue can trigger a wide-ranging set of responses across urban centers, influencing public sentiment and political discourse beyond the immediate demonstrations. (Le Monde)