Protests Continue in France As Top Court Backs Macron’s Unpopular Pension Plan (+Video)

Thousands of protesters gathered in Nantes on Friday in response to the Constitutional Council's decision to approve France's pension reform plan, which raises the retirement age from 62 to 64.

The protest was organized by local trade union CGT (General Confederation of Trade Unions). A member of the CGT addressed the rally participants, explaining that "64 is basically the age of the youngest member of the Constitutional Council". The protest lasted for several hours and ended with police using tear gas to disperse the protesters, some of whom were detained.

Scuffles between protesters and police in Lyon, as well as rubbish bins being overturned and public property being destroyed, were reported during a similar demonstration. Various trade unions, including CGT, organized a rally outside the prefecture building before the Constitutional Council's decision was announced. A protester stated, "We will continue in the streets. Nobody was hoping for any good from the Council. We all knew that they would decide this." Another protester stated, "The movement will go on. We won't give up, never give up. They don't know what's coming for them. We will go to the end, if we have to block the country, we will."

Protests have been ongoing since January and intensified after the government forced through the changes without a vote in the National Assembly. The administration argues that reforms are needed to ensure the sustainability of the system.

In Paris, journalists and police were present outside the Constitutional Council building as the proposal was approved. Meanwhile, thousands of protesters gathered outside the Paris City Hall to voice their frustration with the decision, while students marched through the streets of the French capital with banners reading "Let's continue the strike until the (pension bill) withdrawal". Various trade and student unions were reportedly present during the demonstration.