Spontaneous protests begin in Paris over pension reform overhaul

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – Spontaneous protests on Friday started in Paris over the government's pension reform overhaul.

Thousands gathered on Place de la Concorde square in the capital near the National Assembly, as they did on Thursday, after the government used its special constitutional powers to force through controversial pension reforms without parliamentary consent.

Protesters raised slogans, while police geared up to intervene in case of vandalism and violence, according to an Anadolu correspondent on the ground.

Soon after the demonstrations began, clashes erupted when protesters threw projectiles at police officers.

Among 4,000 protesters in Paris, 11 people were arrested, the daily Le Figaro reported.

Impromptu demonstrations also started in Lille city, in northern France, Le Figaro added.

Workers and trade unions express their growing furor over President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne's decision on Thursday to invoke Article 49.3 of the Constitution.

After it was passed by the Senate, the final version of the draft bill was supposed to be taken up for parliamentary approval.

However, Macron and Borne opted for using the special constitutional powers to bypass the parliamentary process.

The decision was driven by the fear that lawmakers would be able to block the reforms, since the government does not have an absolute majority.

The reforms 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.

The plan has triggered public outrage since it was revealed last year, with massive protests and strikes held across the country since January.

*Umit Donmez in Paris contributed to this story.