Pune, 21st March 2023
Police have banned gatherings on the Central Place de la Concorde amidst protests from citizens against Emanuel Macron. The protests have erupted due to a decision by the President to force a change in the state pension age. The change was not discussed in the parliament and was directly implemented which disrupts the democratic process of law-making. The cities of Bordeaux, Nantes, Brest and Paris witnessed planned on Saturday. Unions were called to show resistance for nine consecutive days with an industrial action planned on Thursday 23rd March 2023.
It has been alleged that Macron misused his executive powers to force his bill on Thursday stating that the government was not certain of a national assembly to vote on the changes proposed. Out of the many changes proposed one of them was the modification of increasing the eligible retirement age from 62 years to 64 years. This move has angered the opposition who have led street protests to challenge the President’s authority.
According to the constitution of France Emanuel Macron’s move is a legal act. Despite this, the angered opposition has led protests which have been described as “the greatest challenge to the President’s authority” since the Yellow Vests protests of 2018. The refinery strikes increased as the strikes continued on Railways. Reports say that Macron was “warned that the situation was explosive” by Philippe Martinez who is the leader of the CGT Federation.
Comments