PARIS —
From tiny islands to major cities, demonstrators poured onto France’s streets Tuesday in the latest clash of wills with the government over its plans to raise the retirement age, with labor unions aiming to mobilize more than 1 million protesters for a “citizens’ insurrection.”
The nationwide strikes and protests were a crucial test both for President Emmanuel Macron’s government and its opponents. The government says it is determined to push through Macron’s election pledge to reform France’s pension system. Labor unions and left-wing legislators fighting in Parliament against Macron’s plans are counting on protesters to turn out in massive numbers to strengthen their efforts to kill the bill, which would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Veteran left-wing leader Jean-Luc Melenchon predicted “a historic day” of protests and defeat for Macron, as large crowds of protesters marched in cities and towns outside Paris ahead of a major demonstration planned later Tuesday through the French capital.
“It’s not often that we see such a mass mobilization,” Melenchon said in the southern city of Marseille. “It’s a form of citizens’ insurrection.”
On the tiny western isle of Ouessant, off the tip of Brittany, about 100 demonstrators gathered outside the office of Mayor Denis Palluel and marched Tuesday morning, he said.
Speaking by phone to the Associated Press, Palluel said the prospect of having to work longer alarmed mariners on the island with arduous ocean-going jobs.
“Retiring at a reasonable age is important, because life expectancy isn’t very long,” he said.
A first round of strikes and protests brought out between 1 million and 2 million demonstrators earlier this month, including many tens of thousands in Paris. Labor leaders were aiming at least to match or better those numbers Tuesday, with around 250 demonstrations expected around the country. The government mobilized 11,000 officers to police the protests.
Positions are hardening on both sides as lawmakers begin locking horns in Parliament over the government’s retirement reform bill.
On Monday, Macron described the reform as “essential.” His prime minister, Elisabeth Borne, insisted over the weekend that raising the retirement age to 64 was “no longer negotiable.”
Strikers and protesters intend to prove otherwise.
Rail operator SNCF warned of major network disruptions Tuesday because of strikes. It recommended that passengers cancel or postpone trips and work remotely if possible.
Strikes also hit some schools and other sectors. Radio station France Inter played music instead of its usual morning talk shows and apologized to its listeners because employees were striking.