Whit Johnson (00:00):
Days of protests erupting in the streets of Paris. The unrest fueled by anger over the government’s plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. Protestors toss fireworks at police as they clash for a third straight night. Hundreds have been arrested across the country since protests began in January. ABC’s Ines de La Cuetara reporting from Paris tonight.
Ines de La Cuetara (00:23):
Tonight, heated new protests sweeping across France. Millions hitting the streets since mid-January to protest French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to reform pensions. At least 4,000 people marching tonight in Paris, where demonstrations have turned violent. Protestors, lighting fires right in the heart of the city and clashing with police.
Celine Brice (00:48):
I saw a fire earlier. It’s definitely pretty, pretty scary.
Ines de La Cuetara (00:52):
Thousands of workers also on strike, upending public transit, even sanitation.
(00:57)
You can see the streets of Paris are covered in mounds of trash. This one here really starting to smell. Garbage collectors have been on strike for 13 days now.
(01:06)
Still, President Macron says he has no choice but to raise the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64 arguing people are living longer and the government risks running a deficit. The Élysée Palace wouldn’t comment, but demonstrators are calling on the government to fund pensions another way, by taxing the rich for instance, because they say Macron’s plan could hurt blue collar workers the most.
Gilles Tuffet (01:30):
What he wants to do is just show the markets that he can make the people, his people bleed so he can get the last dime from them.
Ines de La Cuetara (01:41):
And most of the people we’ve been speaking with oppose the proposed pension changes. Meanwhile, on Monday, lawmakers will hold a vote of no confidence in Macron’s government, though it’s not expected to pass. Whit.
Whit Johnson (01:52):
And quite a scene behind you, Ines de La Cuetara. Thank you.