France witnessed on Thursday, more protests in several cities that denounce President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform, for the ninth day of nationwide protests. The protests erupted after French President Emmanuel Macron’s television interview, in which he affirmed the controversial reform “to enter into force by the end of the year.” BFM TV reported that French labor unions called for the ninth time to protest and strike in more than 240 locations, adding the protest blocked access to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport forcing travelers to get there by foot. Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in a statement that airlines were asked to reduce their flights by 30 percent at Orly Airport on Friday and Saturday, as well as other airports affected by the strike. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmnan stated on Twitter that 12,000 police forces were spread around French cities to ensure the safety of protesters.
Since Thursday, demonstrators expressed their discontent that the pension reform was passed without a vote and the government survived a no-confidence vote, noting that the French government decided to resort to Article 49.3 of the constitution to pass this law without the vote of the Parliament.
Source: Kuwait News Agency