Europe | Impasse

More strikes and demonstrations against French pension reform

Protesters still think they can force Emmanuel Macron to back down

March 28, 2023, Paris, France: A protester throws a garbage bins into a fire on the street during a demonstration in Paris over pension reform. President Emmanuel Macron wants to introduce a bill which will raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. (Credit Image: © Lucy North/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press WireZuma / eyevineFor further information please contact eyevinetel: +44 (0) 20 8709 8709e-mail: info@eyevine.comwww.eyevine.com — Image: Eyevine

Mar 30th 2023|PARIS

Sausages are sizzling on open grills; a bass beat is pumping from a nearby float. “A violent desire for happiness” reads a giant red banner. The mood in Paris is festive, despite fears that this protest might yet turn violent. Those who gathered on March 28th, for the tenth one-day national strike against the French government’s decision to raise the minimum pension age from 62 years to 64, vowed not to give up. Many of them were young.

This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Impasse”