French gendarmes react near burning trash cans as they clash with protesters during an illustration as part of the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against the French government’s pension reform, Paris, France, March 23, 2023.
Nacho Doce | Reuters
King Charles III’s visit to France has been postponed due to ongoing protests against the reform of the Paris government’s pension system.
This trip was to be the primary state visit of the brand new British monarch and was scheduled to last from 26 to 29 March.
On Thursday, unions called for a national day of motion to include strikes and protests on March 28.
The choice to cancel the visit was made by the French and British governments after a telephone conversation between French President Emmanuel Macron and King Charles, according to a press release.
Street protests have intensified in recent days after the federal government last week announced it might use special constitutional powers to push an unpopular pension bill through the lower house of parliament and not using a vote.
King Charles was due to visit Paris and Bordeaux which experienced tense protests. Bordeaux’s town hall was set on fire, although the flames were quickly extinguished, the BBC reports reported.
In Paris and other cities, tear gas and water cannons were fired at demonstrators, and policemen were injured.
Protesters throw away tear gas canisters during clashes during an illustration as part of the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against the French government’s pension reform, Paris, France, March 23, 2023.
Yves Herman | Reuters
Guesthouse Bill it is going to raise the national retirement age from 62 to 64 for many employees, or lower the retirement age by the identical number of years for blue-collar employees in the general public sector. It is going to also raise the number of years someone must contribute to the scheme to receive a full pension from 42 to 43 from 2027.
The federal government narrowly survived two motions of no confidence tabled by coalitions of opposition MPs.
In a Wednesday TV interview with TF1 and France 2 channels, Macron stressed that reforms are needed to balance the books and strengthen the pension system for the long run.
A French police officer in riot gear, injured during clashes with demonstrators, receives aid during an illustration in the course of the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against the French government’s pension reform, Paris, France, March 23, 2023.
Gonzalo Fuentes | Reuters
The unions denounced the changes and the best way they were passed as an undemocratic attack on working people.
Macron said he wanted to work with the unions but accused them of failing to negotiate reforms. He also said a peaceful demonstration was legitimate, but added that some protests had led to unacceptable disruption and violence.
The French president’s popularity rankings have fallen amidst the controversy, and an Elabe survey on Thursday, he said that 71% of respondents who watched his interview didn’t find it convincing, while 61% said it might lead to more anger.