Blocking France on March 7 would be ‘the worst thing to do’: Government spokesman

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) - Blocking the entire country March 7 would be the worst thing to do, a French government spokesperson said Wednesday.

"If we want a stronger France, if we want the French people to be better tomorrow, the worst thing to do would be to block the country," Olivier Veran told broadcaster BFMTV.

"We are not in a power struggle with the French, the strikers, and the unions," said Veran. "We have a dialogue … Considering what's at stake in front of us, it's not the time to paralyze the country."

French unions and workers have organized several demonstrations and walkouts since the government revealed a pension reform plan in January.

Demonstrations were held Jan. 19, 31, Feb. 7, 11 and 16.

The plans, which have triggered public outrage, include raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 in 2030 and requiring at least 43 years of work to be eligible for full pensions.