Unions demand 'tidal wave' of protests as Macron's pension reforms become law

As Emmanuel Macron oversees the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, he faces renewed protests against his pension reform. Photo: Sarah Meissonier/AFP

French trade unions called for a «tidal wave» of protests after Emmanuel Macron signed into law a controversial pension reform.

On Friday, the Constitutional Council cleared the way for the president to raise the retirement age from 62 years old. up to 64.

The changes, which sparked months of protests and strikes across France, became law on Saturday after the text was published before dawn in France's official journal.

The opposition said Mr Macron smuggled it in the dead of night, while the unions said he showed «contempt» for the protesters.

Sophie Binet, leader of the CGT union, and other union leaders responded by calling for a «popular and historic wave» of people in the streets to oppose the reforms May 1.

Nighttime The statement «confirms the president's vicious disrespect for both the population and the trade unions in particular,» said Ms. Binet.

Fabien Roussel, head of the French Communist Party, tweeted: «The law taken in the middle of the night like thieves. Everyone is outside on May 1st.»

A woman runs past a burning barricade during anti-pension reform demonstrations on Friday. Photo: Kieran Ridley/Getty Images

Mr Macron called the changes «necessary» to avoid an annual pension shortfall projected to reach £12bn by 2030. statesmen.

They were deeply unpopular, with detractors claiming to strengthen his reputation as the “president of the rich.”

On Friday, the nine-member Constitutional Council ruled in favor of key provisions, including raising the retirement age, sparked a wave of protests across the country.

In the western city of Rennes, protesters set fire to the entrance to a police station, while other fires were started. The video shows flames several meters high as firefighters rushed to put out the fire at the police station.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in Paris, Marseille and Toulouse, and clashes broke out in Nantes. According to Ouest France, police used water cannons to prevent demonstrators from reaching the local town hall.

On Monday evening, Macron will deliver a speech on the crisis in France.