President Emmanuel Macron’s reforms have been pushed through
Unbelievable scenes in France as tens of thousands of people take to the streets to protest against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms.
Like something you would see in a movie, demonstrators lit fires and flares in the famed Place de la Concorde in Paris – demanding the immediate resignation of the nation’s leader.
The government used a special constitutional power – known as Article 49:3 – to avoid a knife-edge vote in parliament and essentially rush through the legislation.
Even though Macron was re-elected last year on a platform for these retirement reforms, his ruling coalition doesn’t hold a majority in the Assembly and would have needed support from the Republican party.
The reform will raise the retirement age in France from 62 to 64.
Protests have engulfed much of the nation for weeks.
Demonstrators crowded into the Place de la Concorde square in Paris, with thousands remaining into the evening.
There are reports of clashes between police and protesters, with tear gas and water cannons fired at the crowd.
In response, far-right politician Marine Le Pen says opposition deputies will file a motion of no-confidence in the government.
