France: Protests denouncing pension reform likely through late-May

Event

Activists will almost certainly continue to stage protests across France through late-May to denounce the government's pension reforms. Following a relative pause of three weeks, labor unions, most notably the CGT (General Workers' Confederation), are increasingly staging demonstrations and short-notice protest events nationwide. On May 23, rallies and protests took place in Lille, Lyon, Paris, and Rennes. As of May 24, a protest in central Paris has forced the closure of the Galeries Lafayettes store. Other protests target government ministers as they attend business meetings or other official engagements. Further small-scale and short-notice demonstrations are highly likely.

Major labor strikes are not planned through May; the next multi-sector nationwide strike has been called for June 6.

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

The government's pension reform raises the retirement age from 62 to 64 and is a landmark policy of President Emmanuel Macron. Labor unions and opposition parties have led 13 days of national general strikes since Jan. 19. Hundreds of major demonstrations across the country have accompanied the industrial action.

The demonstrations have become increasingly intense and frequently violent after the president invoked Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, enabling the government to pass the pension reform without requiring a vote in the National Assembly. On April 14, the Constitutional Council partially approved the pension reform plan, after which the president signed the increased pension age into law.

Advice

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.