Demonstrations, renewable strikes, occupied roundabouts: several first blocking actions began on Tuesday March 7 to put France “at a standstill” against the highly contested pension reform defended by Emmanuel Macron, before its probable adoption by Parliament in a few days.
First large-scale action of the day, fuel shipments were blocked in the morning at the exit of “ all refineries from France, the CGT-Chimie union told AFP, assuring that the refineries of TotalEnergies, Esso-ExxonMobil and Petroineos were particularly affected. During the night of Monday to Tuesday, demonstrators began to block a major road in Rennes, in western France.
This sixth day of action should also be marked by the launch of renewable strikes in several sectors, from transport to refineries, including energy, trade and waste, and by demonstrations which promise to be very well attended.
The leaders of the main unions have indicated that they are waiting ” more than 2 million of demonstrators for this day which, according to them, marks the beginning of a ” new phase of the social movement. ” I think we’re gonna put over two million people on the street today “, said this Tuesday morning Frédéric Souillot on RTL.
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The General Secretary of Force Ouvrière affirmed that “ in many places, France is at a standstill “, following the watchword of the inter-union, which “ demonstrates that the strategy is working “and therefore justifies continuing” until the withdrawal of this reform “.
Opinion shared by Laurent Berger: “ We must not resign ourselves, it is possible to roll back the government on 64 years “Launched on LCI the boss of the CFDT, who also hopes to beat the record of January 31 (1.27 million participants according to the authorities, 2.5 million according to the organizers). ” There will be more people, I tell you “, he assured, warning that” the vast majority of employees will be called upon to take on new initiatives “If the executive does not come back on his project.
This day is a major test for the French government, which wants to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 with the stated aim of ensuring the financing of the system, the pillar of the French social model.
(with agencies)