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About 1.28 million people demonstrated across the country against French President Emmanuel Macron's plans to raise the retirement age to 64, the Interior Ministry in Paris reported, BNR reported.

Figures showed the demonstrations were some of the largest in decades, with just over 1.27 million people.

According to the left-wing trade union CGT, the number of protesters was 3.5 million.

A nationwide strike paralyzed France today

More than 260 protest demonstrations took place across France today.

For the sixth time in the past two months, left-wing unions are trying to force President Emmanuel Macron to abandon a reform that would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.

Police estimate the number of demonstrators in Paris at over 80,000.

Clashes with the police took place there and in the western city of Nantes.

The strikes led to a drop in electricity production, affecting nuclear and thermal plants.

Only one in five regional trains was running.

Rail services will be disrupted tomorrow as well.

Macron's allies in parliament are set to vote on the reform this month.

In response, unions plan to step up pressure on MPs with more strikes at key businesses in the coming days.

France

mass protests

pension reform