French trade unions organized a 14th day of mobilization against the pension reform. However, this protest saw the lowest participation since the movement began in January, with rallies in Paris and across France.

The demonstration aimed to protest against the pension reforms, which increase the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 years. It took place two days after the first application decrees of the reform were published and two days before an attempted reversal of this reform in the National Assembly.

The protest took place on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. It was the 14th day of mobilization organized by the trade unions since the beginning of the year.

The Parisian protest started at Les Invalides at 2 pm and moved along Boulevard Montparnasse to end up at Place d'Italie. 

The pension reform, promulgated last April 15, has drawn opposition from various trade unions and political parties. The unions hoped that this day of mobilization would increase the pressure on the executive to reconsider the reform.

Despite the unions' efforts, mobilization was low, with only 281,000 people across France according to the Interior Ministry, 900,000 according to the CGT. In Paris, the prefecture announced 31,000 participants. Furthermore, the disruptions caused by the strike were limited, with a participation rate of barely over 5% among national education teachers (Source: Le Monde).

There were isolated incidents, notably an intrusion at the headquarters of the 2024 Olympic Games Organizing Committee and a power cut in the Parisian suburbs. Clashes broke out between protestors and law enforcement in Lyon, Toulouse, Nantes, and Rennes, but fewer than in previous protests.

In anticipation of this day of mobilization, 11,000 police officers and gendarmes had been deployed across the country, including 4,000 in Paris alone. Despite this, a policeman was injured and urban furniture was damaged, with 28 arrests made in Paris until 6:45 pm.

What's next?

The presidential camp plans to continue implementing the reform, as evidenced by the decrees published in the Official Journal. In two days, a bill to repeal could be examined in the National Assembly, but it has little chance of succeeding.

Parisian route: The demonstration organized by the inter-union for the 12th day of mobilization against pension reform took place on Thursday, April 13th. It unfolded between Place de l'Opéra and Place de la Bastille, passing through Opéra Avenue, Rivoli Street, and Saint-Antoine Street.

On Thursday, April 13, France experienced its 12th day of national mobilization against pension reforms. According to the CGT, approximately 1.5 million people participated in the demonstration, while the Ministry of the Interior estimated the number of protesters at 380,000.

Tomorrow, the Constitutional Council will render two highly anticipated decisions. The first decision concerns the constitutionality of the pension reform, while the second decision pertains to the opening of a shared initiative referendum to set the maximum retirement age at 62.

In Paris, the demonstration started from Avenue de l'Opéra. According to the CGT, it gathered 400,000 participants, while the prefecture counted 42,000 protesters.

During the Parisian demonstration, 47 people were arrested, and 10 members of law enforcement were injured.

The police prefect has issued a ban on any demonstrations near the Constitutional Council from 6 p.m. this Thursday.

Parisian Route: The Parisian procession of the demonstration against the retirement reform started at Les Invalides and headed towards Place d'Italie, passing through Rue de Grenelle, Boulevard des Invalides, Boulevard de Port-Royal, and Avenue des Gobelins.

This Wednesday, the eighth day of inter-union mobilization against the retirement reform took place in France. According to CGT, around 1.7 million people participated in the demonstrations, while the Ministry of the Interior reported 480,000 protesters.

On the sidelines of the Parisian procession, authorities apprehended 22 individuals, according to the latest report from the prefecture of police.

In the afternoon, the joint committee reached an agreement to postpone the legal retirement age to 64 years.

Parisian Route: The protesters left Boulevard Raspail to reach Place d'Italie, passing through Boulevard du Montparnasse, Boulevard de Port-Royal, and Avenue des Gobelins.

According to CGT, about 3.5 million people participated in the demonstrations, while the Ministry of the Interior counted 1.28 million. Union leaders have described this mobilization as "historic".

The Senate is examining Article 7 of the pension reform