Several hundred thousand protesters took to the streets of France today in the second wave of demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron's attempt to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, DPA reported. 

According to trade unions, 500,000 people in Paris alone protested against the reform, which could be seen as the government's top priority.

However, the police claimed that "only" 87,000 people took part in the demonstrations, reports AFP.

The strikes have affected schools, refineries and rail transport, which has also affected rail links with neighboring Germany. 

There were demonstrations in Toulouse, Rennes, Grenoble and other cities.

In response, the Vlachs deployed 11,000 law enforcement personnel.

In Paris, the demonstration began in the afternoon, accompanied by music and protest songs.

The crowds of protesters were joined by families with children, students and the elderly. 

Meanwhile, the reform project is being considered in the relevant parliamentary committee and is about to enter the plenary hall next week.

Macron hopes to get a majority there with the support of conservatives, although some have expressed reservations.

It is not yet clear how the current standoff between the government and the unions will end.

Macron and the government fear that prolonged strikes could put the country in dire straits. 

Strike wave causes transport chaos in France

An initial attempt at pension reform under Macron's first term led to weeks of protest action and the plans were "frozen" during the pandemic. 

According to various estimates, between 1 and 2 million people participated in the first wave of strikes organized by the unions two weeks ago. 

The French government wants to gradually increase the retirement age because the current system is not viable in the long term.

It also wants to increase more quickly the number of years needed to contribute to the system and receive a full pension, and to abolish some individual schemes with privileges for certain categories of workers. 

Although the official retirement age in France is 62, most French people stop working at a later stage. 

Employees who have not contributed to the system long enough to receive a full pension continue to work beyond retirement age. 

Regardless of years of service, the French are entitled to a full pension without deductions at age 67.

The government wants to increase the minimum pension to around 1,200 euros, notes BTA.  

France

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pension reform

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