What could pension bill mean for French President Macron? – BBC Newsnight

There is tension across the French capital with protestors out on the streets of Paris along with riot police, after a million people across France demonstrated yesterday against President Macron’s plan to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64. 

Elsewhere, the town hall in Bordeaux was set alight on the 9th day of protests and strikes. Could the controversy be the beginning of the end for his presidency?

He insists the age rise is necessary to guarantee the survival of France’s pension system. But schools have been shut down, as well as public transport and piles of rubbish have collected on the streets.

The government forced through the contentious pension bill without a key Parliament vote, escalating the crisis.  

International Correspondent Mike Thompson reports for Newsnight from Paris. Filming by Jasmin Dyer.

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