What's happened
Protesters block highways and escalate strikes in response to Macron's pension reform without parliamentary vote
Why it matters
The protests and strikes in France are significant as they reflect public anger and dissatisfaction with President Macron's decision to bypass parliamentary vote on pension reform. The widespread demonstrations and disruptions highlight the public's concerns and the potential impact on fuel supply.
What the papers say
The Telegraph says protesters blocked a key highway around Paris and escalated strikes at refineries, with demonstrators expressing their anger and calling for the repeal of the pension reform. The Guardian reports that more than 300 people were arrested during protests across France, and refinery strikes have intensified. France 24 provides similar information, with protesters blocking traffic on the ring road and refinery workers planning to halt production. The sources provide consistent coverage of the protests and strikes, highlighting the public's discontent with Macron's decision.
How we got here
President Macron pushed through a contentious pension reform without a parliamentary vote, leading to widespread protests and strikes across France. The decision to bypass parliamentary vote has sparked public anger and concerns about the impact on fuel supply.
More on these topics
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Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has been President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017.
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Paris is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,150,271 residents as of 2020, in an area of 105 square kilometres.
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France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.