Green light: Macron may raise the retirement age and riots across France again | outside

There are many objections to the law. Large national protests against an increase in the retirement age have erupted across France recently. But France’s Constitutional Council ruled on Friday that key elements of France’s controversial pension reforms do not contradict the constitution. The nine-member court, headed by former Prime Minister Laurent Fabius, rejects a possible referendum on the issue. The ruling is a stroke of luck for the government of President Emmanuel Macron, which decided to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 because the current system has become unaffordable. Remains.

Riots broke out in many French cities. As in recent days and weeks, many people are rallying against increasing the retirement age. Confrontations with the police again ensued. Garbage and waste bins were set on fire in many places in Paris. People flocked to the city hall. The police used a lot of tear gas. Riots also broke out in cities such as Lyon, Grenoble and Nantes. In Nice, where demonstrations and barricades had already taken place during the day, demonstrators marched. Arrests were reported in several cities.

Demonstrations are also held on Saturday. Unions have called for another major day of protest on May 1, Labor Day. They are not ready to accept an invitation from Macron to come and speak before this date. According to French media, the president wants to sign the law within 48 hours. It will take effect on September 1. The Constitutional Council has refused to hold a referendum on the issue of pensions, but will consider a proposal for a new referendum in May.

The government pushed ahead with pension reforms last month without a vote in Parliament. There have been mass protests in recent months, but no withdrawal. Macron had already invited unions to hold talks on Tuesday, regardless of the Constitutional Council’s decision.