UPDATE 2 – End of demonstrations in France as thousands protest pension reform plan

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By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) - Demonstrations ended Wednesday in Paris against the government's pension reform plan.

Nationwide demonstrations began in the capital and other cities for an eighth time since January with thousands rejecting the plan, which triggered public outrage when it was announced last year.

Protests began in cities such as Nantes and Bordeaux, while thousands rallied in Paris in the afternoon, gathering at the historical Esplanade des Invalides Square, according to media reports.

Isolated cases of violence occurred in Paris, Nantes, Rennes and Lyon. Police sprayed tear gas on violent groups who broke windows of shops and vandalized street furniture, according to the Le Figaro newspaper.

Police arrested 22 people for vandalism in Paris, it said.

The interior ministry recorded 480,000 protesters nationwide, while the General Labor Confederation (CGT) counted 1.7 million.

Political representatives continued to discuss the reform plan, local media reported.

The joint committee comprising seven senators and seven members of parliament in charge of finding common ground between parliament and the Senate achieved its duty and approved the final version of the draft bill.

The bill will be transferred to the Senate and later to parliament for a final vote Thursday.