Third round of anti-pension reform protests in France

By Feiza Ben Mohamed

PARIS (AA) - Thousands took to the streets Tuesday in France to protest pension reforms, according to media reports.

Workers from all sectors continue to express objections to the reform plans revealed by the government in January.

More than 200 demonstrations were seen across the country in a third round of protests, following the Jan. 19 and Jan. 31 rallies, according to the Le Monde newspaper.

Protest this week has a symbolic meaning since the National Assembly, or parliament, started to debate the reform project on Monday.

Authorities predicted 900,000 to 1 million demonstrators will take to the streets this time.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote Monday on Twitter that 11,000 police officers will ensure security during the protests, including 4,000 in Paris.

The reform 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.

*Writing by Nur Asena Erturk in Ankara