French unions are using May 1st as an occasion for further protests against the pension reform. On Labor Day, they organized demonstrations in many cities.
Unions and workers in France are using the rallies on Labor Day to stage new nationwide demonstrations against the controversial pension reform proposed by the government. In many cities, there are protest marches against the government’s proposed law. The powerful French unions have called for more than 300 protest events across the country.
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators were expected to participate, with 100,000 expected in Paris alone. However, as of the afternoon, actual attendance numbers had not yet been reported. The police were also prepared for violence, with tear gas already being used against protesters in the capital. Images circulating online showed Place de la Nation engulfed in a fog of smoke, and there were reports of violence in Nantes as well.
Protesters reportedly set vehicles on fire in Lyon. Here, the reform-oriented CFDT union criticized radicals who are instrumentalizing the protests to commit acts of violence. According to the newspaper “Le Monde,” many peaceful protesters left the rally due to the violence, including families.
Unions at odds over seeking compromise
The leader of the left-wing CGT union, Sophie Binet, criticized Macron’s isolation over the pension reform. “The Executive cannot govern without the support of the people,” she said before the Paris protests. Her union had yet to decide whether to accept the government’s offer to discuss other labor policy issues.
CFDT head Laurent Berger accused Macron’s government of turning a deaf ear to the demands of the people during the massive protests of the past few months. However, he stated his willingness to engage in dialogue. “We need to put other proposals on the table regarding salaries and working conditions”, he told BFM TV.
Constitutional trick costs Macron support
Macron pushed through the increase in the retirement age from 62 to 64 using a constitutional trick without a vote in Parliament and narrowly avoided a vote of no confidence as a result. According to opinion polls, the vast majority of French people reject the pension reform. For months, there have been strikes and massive demonstrations against the plan.
Macron’s approval ratings are close to record lows during the “yellow vest” protests. The president and his government argue that the reform is necessary to prevent France’s generous pension system from collapsing. However, the unions believe that this can also be achieved through other means, such as higher taxes on the wealthy or significant changes to the pension system.
There are also concerns that widespread dissatisfaction with Macron’s reform plans could make his political work more difficult in the long run and give right-wing extremists a boost. On Friday, rating agency Fitch lowered France’s credit rating by one notch to “AA-” citing the possibility of political gridlock and social unrest as risks to Macron’s agenda.