Paris police tear gas and baton charge protesters by the Tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte as French revolt continues over pension reforms that raises the retirement age from 62 to 64
- More than 1.2 million people took to the streets in France to continue protests against raising the pension age
- Stones were thrown by demonstrators in Paris with police responding with tear gas and baton charges
Police used tear gas and baton charges to beat back pension reform protestors by the Tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte in Paris today.
The ugly scenes followed a day of strikes and street demonstrations which saw more than 1.2 million mobilise on Tuesday.
'A Paris march involving hundreds of thousands was peaceful, right until the very end when there were disturbances,' said a local police spokesman.
Referring to the national monument where Napoleon is buried, the spokesman added: 'Stones were thrown at officers around Les Invalides, before order was restored in the early evening.'
Tens of thousands of people march against the pension reforms on January 31, 2023 in Paris, France
Protesters run for tear gas as clashes erupt between police forces and protesters during a march against the pension reforms on January 31, 2023 in Paris, France
French riot police use tear gas during clashes on the demonstration against French government's plan to raise the legal retirement age in Paris, France on January 31, 2023
It followed Interior Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin accusing 'champagne socialists' of opposing pension reform.
He said 11,000 police were mobilised, as just over 1.2 million showed their opposition to raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Multiple train and metro lines shut down, along with schools, colleges, medical centres, and other public services.
In a controversial interview published in Le Parisien newspaper, Mr Darmanin said many of those taking part wanted 'a society without work, without effort'.
He said they were 'champagne socialists' who wanted to 'screw up the country' as it struggled to compete in the global economy.
Under new government proposals being considered by the Paris parliament, people will have to work two years longer to achieve a full pension.
This has been hailed by President Emmanuel Macron as vital to safeguard France's hugely expensive system.
He has welcomed 'democratic protest' but said any rioting would be met with 'the full force of the law'.
His pension reform ideas have proved deeply unpopular, with 68% saying they are opposed to it, according to an IFOP poll published this month.
Protesters gather at Place d'Italie square for a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Paris on January 31, 2023
A protester holds red flares near the Invalides during a demonstration against French government's pension reform plan in Paris as part of a day of national strike and protests in France, January 31, 2023
A protester tries to kick a fuming tear gas pellet during a demonstration on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Paris on January 31, 2023
A man is detained by riot police officers during a demonstration against plans to push back France's retirement age, Paris, France, January 31, 2023
Police detain a protester during a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Paris on January 31, 2023
French police face off with protesters amid clashes near the Invalides during a demonstration against French government's pension reform plan in Paris as part of a national strike and protests in France, January 31, 2023
French police face off with protesters amid clashes near the Invalides during a demonstration against French government's pension reform plan in Paris as part of a national strike and protests in France, January 31, 2023
All the country's unions have condemned the measure, as have the Left-wing and Far-right opposition parties in the National Assembly.
Mr Macron's Renaissance party does not have a parliamentary majority, so has to rely on the support of around 60 MPs from the conservative Republicans party to get his pension reforms through.
With the parliamentary process taking months, Mr Macron faces a rolling campaign of opposition.
Most other European countries have taken steps to raise the official retirement age, which in Britain is currently 66.
President Macron made an earlier attempt to reform the system in 2019, but scrapped it because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
This is the seventh attempted pension reform in France since Socialist president François Mitterrand cut the retirement age to 60 in 1982.
Every subsequent attempt to reverse that change has led to mass opposition on the street.
In 2010, conservative Nicolas Sarkozy raised the retirement age to 62, despite weeks of mass protests.
Protestors end the demonstration against plans to push back France's retirement age, at the Invalides monument in Paris, January 31, 2023
French riot police stand in front of protesters with umbrellas as clashes erupt during a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Nantes on January 31, 2023
Protesters clash with police on the Place Vauban during a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Paris on January 31, 2023
A protester is detained by police during a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Paris on January 31, 2023
Police clash with protesters on the Place Vauban near the Hotel de Invalides at a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Paris on January 31, 2023
Protestors hold union flags and smoke flares during a demonstration as part of a nationwide day of strikes and rallies for the second time in a month, Nice, southeastern France, January 31, 2023
Masked protesters react during a demonstration against French government's pension reform plan in Paris as part of a day of national strike and protests in France, January 31, 2023
The protesters have vowed to take to the streets as often as needed for the government to back down.
'We won't drive until we're 64!' bus driver Isabelle Texier said at a protest in Saint-Nazaire on the Atlantic coast.
'For the president, it's easy. He sits in a chair... he can work until he's 70, even,' she said, adding: 'We can't ask roof layers to work until 64, it's not possible.'
'This is about more than pensions, it is about what kind of society we want,' 59-year-old university professor Martine Beugnetsa said.
Opinion polls show a substantial majority of the French oppose the reform, but Macron intends to stand his ground. The reform was 'vital' to ensure the viability of the pension system, he said on Monday.
Some felt resigned amid bargaining between Macron's ruling alliance and conservative opponents who are more open to pension reform than the left.
'There's no point in going on strike. This bill will be adopted in any case,' said 34-year-old Matthieu Jacquot, who works in the luxury sector.
The pension system reform would yield an additional 17.7 billion euros (£15.5 billion) in annual pension contributions, according to Labour Ministry estimates.
Unions say there are other ways to raise revenue, such as taxing the super rich or asking employers or well-off pensioners to contribute more.
French police face off with protesters amid clashes near the Invalides during a demonstration against French government's pension reform plan in Paris as part of a national strike and protests in France, January 31, 2023
A protester kicks a tear gas canister during clashes with police on the Place Vauban at a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Paris on January 31, 2023
French riot police push back protesters as clashes erupt during a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Nantes on January 31, 2023
Protesters gather at Place d'Italie square for a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Paris on January 31, 2023
A protester faces French riot police during a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Nantes on January 31, 2023
Protesters demonstrate on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Nantes on January 31, 2023
Protesters light flares and throw fireworks to riot police as clashes erupt during a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Nantes on January 31, 2023
French police fire tear gas during a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Paris on January 31, 2023
Protesters take pictures of a broken street furniture during a demonstration against French government's pension reform plan in Paris as part of a day of national strike and protests in France, January 31, 2023
The government made some concessions while drafting the legislation. Macron had originally wanted the retirement age to be set at 65, while the government is also promising a minimum pension of 1,200 euros a month.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has said the 64 threshold is 'non-negotiable', but the government is exploring ways to offset some of the impact, particularly on women.
France has the lowest qualifying age for a state pension among major European economies.
The government has said the changes are necessary to guarantee the future financing of the pension system, which is forecast to tip into deficit in the next few years.
But opponents point out that the system is not in trouble, insisting pension spending is not out of control.
French riot police push back protesters during clashes on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Nantes on January 31, 2023
Protesters took place across France on Tuesday, from Montpellier (left) to Nantes (right)
French riot police push back protesters as clashes erupt during a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Nantes on January 31, 2023
Protesters gather at Place d'Italie square for a rally on a second day of nationwide strikes and protests over the government's proposed pension reform, in Paris on January 31, 2023
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