In France, fury is raging over the government's plans to raise the pension age by two years to 64. To spearhead the demonstration, 12 of the largest unions in France

In France, fury is raging over the government's plans to raise the 

. To spearhead the demonstration, 12 of the largest unions in France banded together. Teachers, train drivers, and refinery workers are among those who have joined statewide strikes.

Similar protests and mass mobilizations were called out 12 yrs ago when the retirement age was raised from 60 to 62.

An estimated one million to two million people participated in the first wave of strikes and protests on January 19, including tens of thousands in Paris. To deal with the protests, the administration has mobilized 11,000 cops.

Deliveries to a French refinery, public transportation, and schools were all affected by striking workers. The largest labour organization, the CGT, estimated that 500,000 people were protesting in Paris alone.

The trade unions are hoping to build this demonstration into a larger social movement that combines worries about the ongoing cost-of-living crisis to really put pressure on the president.

The demonstrations are a significant test for President Emmanuel Macron

, who insists that his pension reform plan is essential for the economy. Macaron plans to keep his ground with the reform despite 

 that more than 60 percent of voters oppose an increase

, as this will test President Emmanuel Macron's ability to implement his objectives.

While estimates from the French Ministry of Labor show that retirement reform would increase annual pension contributions by 17.7 billion euros ($19.1 billion), enabling the system to break even by 2027, unions contend that there are other ways to ensure the sustainability of the pension system, 

As a tool to control public spending, the pension plans for Macron put his progressive reputation in jeopardy both domestically and among his European Union counterparts.

President Macron has always positioned himself as a reformer. He promised to reform France when he stood for president for the first time. In his first term, he made an effort to push through reforms, including pensions and other issues. 

Protests initially prevented him from doing it, and later the COVID epidemic prevented him from doing that. He is so trying once more during his second term.

After Macron's centrist coalition lost the working majority in parliament, labour groups and left-leaning lawmakers in the legislature are depending on a sizable turnout of protestors to support their efforts to reject the bill.

The left-wing opposition has offered more than 7,000 changes to impede the proposed legislation

. The government had intended to quickly approve the bill with the help of a few Les Républicains legislators. However, the prime minister still has to find allies both inside and outside of Macron's centrist grouping.

Despite the demonstrations, Macron's agreement with the biggest conservative party, Les Republicans, will probably ensure that the reform proposal is approved.

Macron referred to the measure as "important" Elisabeth Borne, his prime minister, said that extending the retirement age to 64 is "

." As the parliamentary debate over the government's retirement reform measure gets heated, positions are hardening on both sides.

The administration has stated that adjustments are necessary to ensure the ongoing funding of the pension system, which is anticipated to enter a deficit in the coming years. The president of the independent pensions advisory board recently informed parliament that "pension spending is not out of control, it is substantially contained." Still, political opponents and trade unions contend that the system is currently balanced.

The controversial pension reform plan for France has drawn more than a million protesters since it was first unveiled. The majority of people oppose the reforms, which would raise the retirement age and the minimum number of years worked in order to qualify for a full pension. This is also the position of all of France's largest unions. 

Even though the hikes are minor, many demonstrators regard it as a confrontation over the future of labour. President Emmanuel Macron on the other hand claims the measures are necessary to eliminate systemic deficits by 2030. 

With additional protests planned, Is Macron putting the country at risk of civil instability?

France Hit by Nationwide Protests Against Pension Reform

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