SHOCKING footage shows rioters setting a police station on fire in France in protest of Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform.
Violence erupted on the streets of Paris after the President’s controversial plan to raise the country’s pension age from 62 to 64 was approved by the French Constitutional Court.
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Protesters clashed with police in several cities across France after the verdict was announced.
Thousands of protesters gathered outside Paris city hall and booed the court decision.
An angry mob made their way to Bastille Square, lighting fires and confronting the police.
“It is an illegal march, and some of those involved are intent on violence,” said a police officer at the scene.
“Bins and hire bikes are being set alight, and the flames are spreading, while missiles are being thrown at officers.”
A vast security operation was rolled out to protect the Council, which is housed in Royal Palace in central Paris.
A dramatic video shows the Place Sainte-Anne police station engulfed in flames in Rennes.
Protests rallying hundreds erupted in other cities, including Marseille and Toulouse.
In Lyon, small groups marching through the city centre were dispersed with tear gas,
The nine-member Constitutional Council ruled in favour of key provisions, including raising the retirement age to 64 from 62, judging the legislation to be in accordance with the law.
“Stay the course. That’s my motto,” Macron said on Friday as he inspected Notre Dame Cathedral.
Minor clauses, including measures designed to increase employment for older workers, were rejected on the grounds that they did not belong in legislation that was tacked on to a social security budget bill.
But the main measures -including the crucial rise to 64 – were deemed constitutional.
On Thursday, a mob stormed the Paris headquarters of luxury group LVMH, which is run by Bernard Arnault, the richest man in the world.
There was also widespread rioting around Bastille – scene of the original 1789 Revolution.
“If you’re looking for money to finance pensions, take it from the pockets of billionaires,” said Fabien Villedieu, of the Sud Rail union.
“Macron must withdraw the bill or he won’t be able to rule this country”, said CGT union leader Sophie Binet, as she warned of more strikes to come.
Unions issued a joint statement urging Macron not to sign the legislation into law, saying the issue was “not finished”.
The general secretary of the CGT union, Sophie Binet, called for a “popular and historic tidal wave” of people on the streets to oppose the reforms on May 1.
Macron said he would now invite union representatives for discussions about his reforms.
The President said: “The decision from the Constitutional Council on Friday will bring an end to the democratic and constitutional procedures.”
But the government argues that they are essential to stop the system from falling into heavy deficit, and to bring France in line with the rest of Europe.
Macron has called the change “necessary” to avoid annual pension deficits forecast to hit 13.5 billion euros (£12 billion) by 2030, according to government figures.
Last month, a strike by Paris rubbish workers left the capital strewn with 10,000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish.
And shocking footage showed the town hall in Bordeaux engulfed in flames while rioters torched the town hall in the city of Lyon as protests erupted across the country.
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Aliki Kraterou
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