The march began as a peaceful demonstration in Paris called by the unions, but the night closed with clashes that started when water cannons were deployed to scatter protesters. Participants set fire to piles of garbage that had accumulated during a strike by cleaning firms opposing Emmanuel Macron’s reform. A reinforced police presence kept a previously planned gathering in the Concorde Plaza from growing into a larger, unsanctioned protest, and organizers announced it would resume this Sunday. In the capital alone, 122 people were detained, with nationwide figures climbing to 169. Protests then spread to Marseille, Lyon, and Chartres, where train tracks were interrupted by groups marching in solidarity with the labor movement. (Source attribution: AFP)
The government’s plan to postpone the retirement age has sparked a broad street movement and a parallel political struggle inside the National Assembly, with more strikes and marches anticipated in the days ahead. This Monday, two motions to bring down Macron’s government are under discussion. The center-right parties and regionalists are showing interest in joining forces with parts of the left in a bid to shift the balance. Without the support of Marine Le Pen, a coalition framework has emerged that could influence outcomes. The Republicans, a traditional conservative party, hold enough influence to sway votes. (Source attribution: Reuters)