France: Activists likely to stage protests and strikes nationwide into early May after Constitutional Council approves pension reform plan /update 2

Activists likely to stage further protests and strikes across France into early May after Constitutional Council approves pension reform.

Event

Activists will likely continue to stage protests and strikes across France into early May to denounce the Constitutional Council's April 14 approval of a controversial pension reform plan backed by President Emmanuel Macron. Demonstrations materialized in several cities in the hours after the decision, including in Paris, Rennes, Nantes, and Lyon. Additionally, police forcibly dispersed or otherwise pushed back demonstrators in Paris, firing tear gas.

Labor unions have called for two days of nationwide strikes, April 20 and April 28, and for further mass protests on May 1 to mark International Workers' Day. As of April 18, the impact of the strike on April 20 is not known. Based on recent nationwide industrial action, it is likely that the SNCF national rail network and the Paris region public transport operators will run between 50 and 75 percent of trains. If air traffic control (ATC) staff join the strike, flights will likely be reduced at Paris-Orly (ORY) and some other regional airports by around 20 percent. Government servants, teachers, and healthcare workers may also join the action.

Other short-notice protests and strikes remain likely nationwide in the lead-up to the May 1 demonstrations. Disruptions remain possible at affected airports following strike days as airlines reposition aircraft and crew and airports work through passenger backlogs. Some staff at private companies will likely participate in any such labor actions, resulting in business disruptions and closures.

Authorities will probably deploy an increased security presence to the sites of additional demonstrations and around government buildings. Protesters may block major roads - especially ring roads close to major cities - and obstruct access to transport hubs, such as bus and train depots. Demonstrators may also engage in further acts of vandalism, including arson. Large crowds and associated security measures may prompt authorities to close roads and enact temporary movement restrictions, resulting in localized traffic disruptions. Clashes between activists and security services cannot be ruled out; riot police may use tear gas or similar measures to disperse unruly crowds.

Context

Disruptive demonstrations broke out nationwide in reaction to the government invoking Article 49.3 of the French Constitution to pass the pension reform without requiring a vote in the National Assembly. The reform raises the retirement age from 62 to 64. The proposed amendment has elicited widespread civil unrest in recent months and recently prompted lawmakers to bring two no-confidence votes against Macron's government, both of which failed and thereby paved the way for the bill to become law.

Advice

Confirm all transport reservations as well as public- and private-sector appointments into at least early May, including at public health centers and other government facilities. Do not check out of accommodations until onward travel is confirmed. Avoid all demonstrations as a routine security precaution and to mitigate personal exposure to any associated disruptions. Allow extra time for travel in major cities. Heed instructions from local authorities and leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation.