Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces

France protests turn violent after talks between unions and PM fail

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 7 Apr 2023 15:33
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Protests in multiple French cities have become violent after Emmanuel Macron's government insists on pushing the retirement age from 62 to 64.

  • x
  • French railway workers storm Centorial building, which is house to US BlackRock offices in Paris, lighting up flares in protests of their government's pension reform plan,France, 6 April 2023. (AP)
    French railway workers storm Centorial building, which is house to US BlackRock offices in Paris, lighting up flares in protests of their government's pension reform plan,France, 6 April 2023. (AP)

Protesters clashed with French security forces on Thursday, objecting to the pension reforms undertaken by Macron's government.

Demonstrations against the government's decision took a violent turn in France, as protesters stormed private company buildings and set fire to Emmanuel Macron’s favorite restaurant.

American investment firm BlackRock’s headquarters were also stormed and surrounded in Paris by striking railway workers who held up red flares inside the building.

🔴 Les cheminots envahissent la multinationale #BlackRock contre la réforme des retraites. #greve6avril pic.twitter.com/L4wxsR025E

— Clément Lanot (@ClementLanot) April 6, 2023

Protesters also targeted La Rotonde in Paris, which is a famous brasserie that President Emanuel Macron frequently visits.

Heavily armored policemen were stationed in front of the restaurant to protect it as angry citizens hurled flares and fireworks at the restaurant, which led to a small fire on the outer curtains of the bistro. 

A bank branch in the capital was also attacked, glass shielding the offices was shattered and files, computers, and keyboards were looted from the site.

Police retaliated with tear gas in an attempt to disperse the enraged French citizens in the area, who threw projectiles at the officers.

In the city of Nantes, demonstrators also clashed with police officers. While others in the city of Nancy set fire to the front entrance of the local branch of the French Central Bank.

Related News

French transport unions warn of strikes if National Rally wins

'Worst moment' for strikes amid energy crisis: France gov spox

Numbers of protesters dwindling

French authorities announced via Twitter, that 111 people were arrested and 154 police officers were wounded as a result of the events. 

The number of people taking part in the movement has dwindled over the past few days, as reported by French authorities.

The Interior Ministry reported a 23% decrease in demonstrators as numbers went down from 740,000 reported last week to 570,000 counted on Thursday.

A huge gap exists between official figures and the CGT union’s figures who claimed that 400,000 people showed up to demonstrations in Paris while the government reported 93,000.

Macron is currently on the final day of his planned visit to China, where he raised the issue of the war in Ukraine during a meeting with Xi at the Great Hall of the People.

The French president faces a huge challenge back home where rallies against the pension reform in France continue amidst French Unions' disapproval of the governmental decision.

The Unions met with the French Prime Minister on Wednesday but the government official refused to even discuss going back on the executive order which raises the age of retirement from 62 to 64 in the country.

The unions have pushed for further mobilization in the upcoming days. However, it seems that the French workers are less engaged. 

On Thursday the Paris metro system experienced minimal disruptions and only 25% of the high-speed train trips were canceled.

The Education Ministry reported that only 8% of teachers were on strike on Thursday.

The French Unions called for another day of protests on April 13, and are keen on maintaining pressure against the French government’s decision as a key court ruling on the pension overhaul is expected to be taken next week.

  • France protests
  • Paris
  • Emmanuel Macron
  • French union
  • Violence

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS