French police also carried out accusations in the square of the French capital tonight. At least 38 protesters were arrested.

Near the square, in the French Chamber of Deputies, Prime Minister Elisabeth Bourne announced this afternoon that he would push through a proposed reform of the pension system, without allowing a vote in Parliament.

Parliament infiltrated

The French Senate (upper house) voted this morning in favor of a proposal to raise the retirement age. Parliament is expected to vote on the measure later today. But just before the start of the meeting in Parliament, the Cabinet held a meeting and Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne decided to skip the vote. This is done by using an article of the constitution sidelining parliament.

An important part of President Macron’s plans is to raise the retirement age in France from 62 to 64. There is strong opposition from trade unions. There have been regular strikes in recent months.

Critics see the constitutional article in question as undemocratic. In France, however, this is not the first time the article has been used: it has happened a hundred times in French history.

Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse

French media reported unrest in several cities, including Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse and Dijon. In Lille, two protesters were hospitalized with injuries. in Rennes bus shelters and had to be paid for by an estate agency.

Demonstrations have been held in France against pension plans since January. National action days, including public transport strikes, drew millions of participants.