Demonstrators besiege BlackRock’s headquarters in Paris

There are renewed protests and strikes against pension reform in Paris. Police officers were seriously injured and over a hundred demonstrators were arrested.

A protester walks through tear gas during a protest against pension reforms. Jeremiah Gonzalez/AP

Strikes and protests against the plan are back in France after talks between French unions and the government on pension reform broke down. According to Interior Minister Gerald Dorman, 154 police officers were injured. The minister announced on Thursday evening that some of them were seriously injured. Also, 111 people have been arrested across the country so far.

Demonstrators target investment firms

In Paris, demonstrators also stormed the headquarters of investment firm BlackRock. Videos on Twitter showed protesters waving flags and lighting Bengali fires inside the occupied building.

During Macron’s first term, BlackRock became an adversary during strikes and protests against pension reforms planned at the time. BlackRock is not playing a role in the current struggles.

France: Protesters block access to airport

According to officials, 570,000 people participated in the demonstrations. Last week there were 740,000, according to the Interior Ministry. Unions spoke to nearly two million participants on Thursday.

According to reports, demonstrators also blocked access to part of Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, and blocked roads and universities in various locations. Up to 800,000 demonstrators are expected across the country against a gradual increase in the retirement age from 62 to 64.

France: The real rest is often later

However, the reform is yet to take effect. Macron wants this to happen by the end of the year. The plan is currently being examined by the Constituent Assembly. MPs, senators and Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne called for powers to scrutinize the text. The Constitutional Council can annul part or all of the reform or declare it unconstitutional. He wants to announce his decision on Friday next week.

The current retirement age in France is 62. In fact, retirement starts later on average: people who don’t pay long enough to get a full pension work longer. After the age of 67, there is a pension without deduction, regardless of how long it has been paid – although the number of contributions required for a full pension will increase more quickly, the government wants to keep this. He wants to increase the monthly minimum pension to around 1,200 euros.