Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators hit French streets Thursday for another day of protests and strikes against President Emmanuel Macron‘s pension reform, as unions seek to maintain pressure on the government ahead of a key court ruling.
Scuffles broke out in the afternoon in several cities, including in Paris where some radical protesters briefly set fire to the awning of a restaurant prized by the president.
Up to 400,000 people took part in demonstrations in Paris, one union claimed, with other co-ordinated protests held simultaneously as far south as Montpellier and Marseille.
With the chaos set to disrupt European travel plans for millions of Brits, MailOnline answers some key questions about the strikes and what they mean for holidaymakers heading to the continent.
Masked protesters set garbage bins on fire amid clashes during a demonstration as part of the eleventh day of nationwide strikes and protests against French government’s pension reform, in Rennes, France, April 6, 2023
Demonstrators hold smoke flares as they take part in the 11th day of action after the government pushed a pensions reform through parliament without a vote
Masked protesters react amid tear gas during clashes at a demonstration as part of the eleventh day of nationwide strikes and protests against French government’s pension reform, in Rennes, France, April 6, 2023
What are the French demonstrators protesting about?
Workers across multiple sectors of French industry are protesting President Emmanuel Macron’s reforms to the pension system which would see the retirement age raised from 62 to 64.
Macron claims a rise in the pension age will secure France’s economy and balance the budget as the population continues to live longer.
But in January he used a special article of the French constitution to force the pension reforms through Parliament without a vote, triggering massive protests which have continued to rage for more than two months.
There have been 11 rounds of demonstrations so far which have seen cars set alight, rat corpses hurled at municipal buildings, rubbish pile up in the streets and violent clashes between citizens and riot police.
With each new protest, the anger initially targeted at pension reforms coalesces further into more general rage against Macron, who is often the target of banners and chants above and beyond his policies.
How will the protests affect your holiday?
The Foreign, Development and Commonwealth Office has not issued an advisory to discourage Brits from travelling to France amid the protests.
But it has provided a series of warnings, urging travellers to ‘avoid demonstrations’ and keep checking the news and local authorities’ guidance for updates.
‘Protests are likely to take place and could occur with little notice,’ the FCDO says.
‘Some protests have turned violent. The protests may lead to disruptions to road travel.’
The latest round of demonstrations is taking place today and the disruption could spill over into Easter weekend, so Brits planning to travel to France today or tomorrow should continually check local media for updates.
Protesters holds a banner that reads, ‘No to pension reforms’
French riot police charge past a pile of burning rental bicycles
Protesters holds a banner that reads, ‘The state kills and maims the people, stop – disam the police’ on the 11th day of action after the government pushed a pensions reform through parliament
The FCDO said: ‘There is also ongoing strike action affecting multiple sectors including transport networks. Coordinated strike action and large-scale demonstrations are planned for Thursday 6 April.
‘Industrial action may start the evening before the strike day and run for several days. You should monitor the media, check the latest advice with operators before travelling, avoid demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities.’
Though airports are expected to remain open, there is a potential for considerable delays as the French Civil Aviation Authority advised airlines to cancel 20 per cent of flights to Bordeaux, Marseille, Nantes and Toulouse.
Some air traffic controllers are also taking part in the strikes and Ryanair has warned passengers to expect delays and cancellations on flights to, from or over France until Saturday, April 8.
Trains are set to be affected less than previously. The Eurostar should operate close to normal capacity – though two trains were cancelled on Wednesday, April 5 and another this morning – and France’s state rail operator SNCF said three out of four of its high speed TGV services connecting most of the country’s major cities will run.
However, smaller rail networks may experience more disruption with reduced timetables and no night services.
Those travelling by car should experience little to no disruption – however some central areas of France’s main cities are likely to be cordoned off.
Ferries are not expected to be delayed or cancelled amid the strikes, though recent days have seen passengers wait up to 60 minutes at the border as French security officials conduct more thorough checks and passport reviews.
French firefighters gather during a rally against the government’s reform to the pension system in Paris, France, 06 April 2023
A firefighter extinguishes burning office furniture on the street in front of a vandalized bank
Masked protesters protect themselves with umbrellas and inflatable ducks – a mark of solidarity with Thai protesters
How long will they last?
The pensions law pushed through Parliament by Macron needs a green light from France’s Constitutional Council on April 14 to go ahead.
The Paris trash collectors’ union has called for fresh strikes April 13, with other unions pledging to keep resisting until the controversial law is canceled.
If the council slaps down or dramatically reduces the effect of Macron’s reforms then the protests are likely to end – or turn into widespread celebrations.
But should the council green-light the proposal in full, the strikes and protests could continue indefinitely until the French public’s enthusiasm – and resources – for protests and strikes dwindles.
Some analysts however are already seeing a reduction in the intensity of the two-month long demonstrations.
‘Going on strike is an expensive affair so you can’t do it forever,’ said Jean-Daniel Levy, deputy director of Harris Interactive polling. And diminished spending power is a real issue, leaving many unable to afford to strike more, he said.
Others say violence seen in the nationwide protests, with dozens of demonstrators and police hurt, has turned off regular people.
‘The demonstrations have become more violent as they’ve gone on. That means many in France are now staying away,’ Luc Rouban, research director of the CNRS at Sciences Po.
