Paris police keep eyes peeled for violent protesters
Demonstrators are venting their opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to make most of them work an extra two years to the age of 64
28 March 2023 - 10:52
byTassilo Hummel and Ingrid Melander
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A pensioner walks past overflowing bins in a street near the Eiffel Tower as rubbish has not been collected due to a strike of rubbish collectors against the French government pension reform, in Paris, France, on March 27 2023. Picture: REUTERS/NACHO DOCE
Paris — French police are on the lookout for more protesters bent on violence joining marches against planned pension reform, the chief of police in Paris said on Tuesday, hours before a new round of countrywide demonstrations and strikes.
Millions of people have been demonstrating, largely peacefully, and joining strike action since mid-January to vent their opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to make most of them work an extra two years to the age of 64.
But public frustration has evolved into broader anti-Macron sentiment.
The protests have intensified since the government used special constitutional powers to bypass parliament on a final vote on the pensions bill almost two weeks ago, bringing scenes of chaos reminiscent of unrest by supporters of the yellow-vest movement during Macron's first term as president.
Laurent Nunez, president of Paris's Prefecture de Police, told France Inter radio that security agencies believed more people intent on violence could join the protests and police had to be ready.
“We are talking about individuals which often are being monitored by intelligence services ... and we are very vigilant about their presence,” Nunez said.
Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said on Monday that authorities had recently noticed a trend towards more violence directed against the state and were anticipating a “very serious risk to public order” at Tuesday’s rallies.
A total of 13,000 police agents will be deployed during the protests throughout the day, more than ever before, Darmanin said.
Laurent Berger, the head of France's largest union, the CFDT, said the violence was a distraction.
“What angers me is that this violence, which I condemn ... overshadows the formidable mobilisation which has been overwhelmingly peaceful,” Berger said.
Berger said attempts to get talks going between union leaders and the government had failed and Macron had to “hit pause” on raising the retirement age and show “a gesture of appeasement” to calm things down.
Berger suggested appointing mediators to help the dialogue between the government and unions over the next few months.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Paris police keep eyes peeled for violent protesters
Demonstrators are venting their opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to make most of them work an extra two years to the age of 64
Paris — French police are on the lookout for more protesters bent on violence joining marches against planned pension reform, the chief of police in Paris said on Tuesday, hours before a new round of countrywide demonstrations and strikes.
Millions of people have been demonstrating, largely peacefully, and joining strike action since mid-January to vent their opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to make most of them work an extra two years to the age of 64.
But public frustration has evolved into broader anti-Macron sentiment.
The protests have intensified since the government used special constitutional powers to bypass parliament on a final vote on the pensions bill almost two weeks ago, bringing scenes of chaos reminiscent of unrest by supporters of the yellow-vest movement during Macron's first term as president.
Laurent Nunez, president of Paris's Prefecture de Police, told France Inter radio that security agencies believed more people intent on violence could join the protests and police had to be ready.
“We are talking about individuals which often are being monitored by intelligence services ... and we are very vigilant about their presence,” Nunez said.
Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said on Monday that authorities had recently noticed a trend towards more violence directed against the state and were anticipating a “very serious risk to public order” at Tuesday’s rallies.
A total of 13,000 police agents will be deployed during the protests throughout the day, more than ever before, Darmanin said.
Laurent Berger, the head of France's largest union, the CFDT, said the violence was a distraction.
“What angers me is that this violence, which I condemn ... overshadows the formidable mobilisation which has been overwhelmingly peaceful,” Berger said.
Berger said attempts to get talks going between union leaders and the government had failed and Macron had to “hit pause” on raising the retirement age and show “a gesture of appeasement” to calm things down.
Berger suggested appointing mediators to help the dialogue between the government and unions over the next few months.
Reuters
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