1 in 2 French people want 'new protest movement': Survey

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As the specifics of the French government's contentious new pension reform proposal emerge, a poll indicated that 52% of those polled want to see France face a "social explosion" in the coming months, with the formation of a "Yellow Vests-type movement."

This is the finding of a study conducted by the French polling institute Ifop, which also discovered that 79% of respondents believe that the scenario of an impending "social explosion", including a new protest movement, is plausible.

It is worth noting that the results are considered the second-highest figures ever recorded by the polling institute since it was created in 1998.

Only in November 2020 did the figure rise above 85%. It was due to the government's harsh coronavirus restrictions, including a second lockdown, at the time.

48% of French people are "outraged" over the country’s economic and social situation, as per the latest survey.

Only 32% stated they are "resigned" to the situation, while only 18% are "confident”.

In a similar context, Philippe Martinez, head of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), France's leading trade union, has lately warned that France will see a wave of mass strikes in early 2023 if the government does not roll back its pension reform.

Earlier in September, around 250,000 protesters took to the streets to announce their opposition to raising the age of retirement and demanding an increase in the minimum wage.

At the time, France's largest trade unions such as CGT, Solidaires, and FSU made a press release announcing their rejection of the reform aim at raising the retirement age.

The unions also announced that they will hit the streets this month if the government does not give in to their request.