President Emmanuel Macron has defied criticism after narrowly surviving a no-confidence vote in parliament over raising the retirement age, but called for calm as angry protesters continued to take to the streets to put pressure on the French government.

(Associated Press)

(CNA) President Emmanuel Macron defied criticism after narrowly surviving a no-confidence vote in parliament over raising the retirement age, but called for calm as angry protesters continued to take to the streets to put pressure on the French government.

Emmanuel Macron has defied calls from his opponents to say there will be no government reshuffle and new parliamentary elections even as protests expand and millions of demonstrators take to the streets, AFP reported. , and will not hold a referendum on its controversial pension reforms.

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"We are facing a moment when we must calm down, de-escalate and listen to the complaints of the people on the ground," Macron said at the meeting with political allies, according to people who attended the meeting.

However, thousands gathered in central Paris and other cities for another night of protests, with Macron saying that "a mob cannot defeat the representatives of the people".

Police fired tear gas at protesters in Paris, who threw objects at police.

Police expanded arrests of protesters tonight after detaining more than 200 people last night.

Last week, the government's decision to use Article 49.3 of the constitution to force through a pension reform bill without a vote in the National Assembly sparked outrage.

Macron's centrist government narrowly survived two no-confidence votes in parliament yesterday, paving the way for legislation to raise the retirement age in France to 64 from 62.

Far-right leader Marlene

Marine Le Pen warned Macron today that he was pushing the country to the brink of a "social explosion".

Lawyers, local administrators and several politicians have accused police of making arbitrary arrests to quell anti-government protests.

"Criminal law is used by the government to prevent demonstrators from exercising their right to demonstrate," said Raphael Kempf, a lawyer specializing in human rights and freedoms.

"There were no wrongful arrests," Paris police chief Laurent Nunez told French broadcaster BFMTV.

The French presidential palace said that Macron will accept a live TV interview at 1 pm local time tomorrow, and he is expected to defend the reform measures and build momentum for the remaining four years of his second term.