Some 1.27 million people took to the streets across cities, towns and communities in France on Tuesday, according to the Interior Ministry, in a new wave of mass protests against President Emmanuel Macron's plans to raise the retirement age by two years.
The turnout exceeded the previous round of strikes and protests against the proposed pension reform, in what is a major triumph for labor unions. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne was forced to acknowledge that her government is "addressing" the "questions and doubts" raised by reforms that would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.
The eight unions that organized the protests announced two other mobilization dates: February 7 and 11.
"In the face of massive rejection, the government must withdraw its reform," said Patricia Drevon, of the Fuerza de los Trabajadores union, along with her colleagues from other unions in an unusual show of solidarity.
The CGT union said 2.8 million protesters gathered on Tuesday. The nationwide strikes and protests are a major test for both Macron and his opponents. The government has insisted it is determined to fulfill its election promise.
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