French unions vow more protests in 10th general strike against Macron’s pension plans

PARIS — French unions have vowed to continue demonstrations next week amid another day of protests Tuesday against French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reforms, the 10th general strike this year.

clashes erupted among small groups of protesters and police, especially in Paris, where some people also looted a supermarket. But the number of protesters has also dropped across most of the country compared to last week, according to estimates by both French authorities and unions. Some 730,000 people protested in total, up from more than 1 million last Thursday. according The French Ministry of the Interior. Estimates by the CGT union, for its part, calculated than the number of protesters refused from 3.5 million last week to about 2 million on Tuesday.

But Parisians can expect some relief for their noses on Wednesday when the garbage collectors are ready to resume work after weeks of strike which has left piles of trash piled up along the streets.

The protests come from the beginning of the year, spurred by Macron’s plans to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 and increase the level of contributions required to receive a full pension. Discontent mounted earlier this month, when the government decided force measures through parliament without a vote, raising concerns that the protests could turn into a broader anti-government movement like the yellow jacketsthat brought months of unrest during Macron’s first term.

The strikes on Tuesday affected sectors such as public transport and schools, as well as power plants and oil refineries, causing fuel shortage.

But the Macron administration has given no sign that it will review the reforms. The government spokesman, Olivier Véran, on Tuesday refused a proposal from the CFDT union to freeze the measures and find a mediator to resolve the situation.

But Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has invited union representatives to meet early next week for talks, according to CFDT leader Laurent Berger.

“Anger is starting to rise, even among the most peaceful protesters,” Berger said broadcaster TMC on Tuesday night after the protests died down.

The main unions continue planning one more day of strikes and protests next Thursday.