Parisians lock horns over pension reform
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Zhang Xin
Paris looked largely peaceful Thursday amid the aftermath of strikes -- except for subway station notices announcing fewer regional trains. Only recently, French President Nicolas Sarkozy had asked the Senate to accelerate debate on the unpopular reform to raise the retirement age.
The commuters were as careless as they were before the series of strikes, and as always, the renowned Champs-Elysees avenue was bustling with tourists and local shoppers.
The Triumphal Arch was once again open to tourists, unlike what happened on Tuesday when the sixth national strike mobilizing more than one million people was going on.
However, it was hardly a clear end to the public outcry against the reform -- despite the apparent peacefulness of the Paris streets.
Cars ran smoothly in most parts of the city, not stopped by protesters or blockades, but drivers had to wait in long lines because fuel supplies were scant. More than a few gas stations posted "out of service" or "no more fuel" on gas pumps.
One fuel seeker, who refused to be named, told Xinhua she spent two hours in the evening waiting in line for fuel after she failed to get oil at two nearby service stations.
More high school students were roaming about near closed schools or on the streets. The Education Ministry said at least 312 high schools were hit by protests on Thursday.
Fearless youngsters had demonstrated their clout by confronting, even clashing with, riot police, which local media described as a disgrace for trade unions.
Moreover, young protesters damaged cars and bus stops in the Paris suburbs. Riot police dispersed them with tear gas, but similar violence occurred once more on Thursday in Lyon, broadcasted by local television channels.
Local reports said thousands of students took to the streets of Paris to protest, but didn't spark any further conflict.
A high school gate in central Paris was blocked by garbage carts, while scores of students were chatting and lingering outside.
More violence was reported in several southern cities, where people's daily life was more seriously affected.
In Lyon, hundreds of protesters, including young people wearing hoods, picked fights with police on commercial streets downtown for the third day in a row. Police arrested 200 youngsters who were displaying gangster-like behavior to prevent further looting and damage to shops and vehicles.
Early Thursday morning, trade unionists briefly blocked the Marseille airport, causing long lines and flight delays. Some travelers had to leave their cars and walk to boarding areas.
The French port city had been suffering the stink of garbage for days as there was no trash collection, before some workers wearing white clothes and masks finally appeared Thursday morning to deal with the piling waste.
The battle of will between the French government and protesters backed by opposition parties made headlines in an increasing number of newspapers.
The expected final vote on the pension bill in the Senate on Thursday night was postponed due to an open-ended debate on various amendments proposed by the opposition parties.
President Sarkozy, who ordered riot police to break blocked fuel depots, said he is aware of the people's concerns but stressed his firm will to have the bill passed.
The president blamed the protesters for undermining the fragile economic recovery and smearing France's international image.
However, unions said they had no intention to stop the fight unless the government agreed to re-open negotiations with them.
Labor unions met again on Thursday and decided to take renewed nationwide actions on Oct. 28 and Nov. 6. Their campaign will most likely continue.
The current fuel shortage could cloud the upcoming long holiday in France, but it could also make the strikes halt temporarily, posing a chance for the government and a problem for the unions. — Xinhua
Paris looked largely peaceful Thursday amid the aftermath of strikes -- except for subway station notices announcing fewer regional trains. Only recently, French President Nicolas Sarkozy had asked the Senate to accelerate debate on the unpopular reform to raise the retirement age.
The commuters were as careless as they were before the series of strikes, and as always, the renowned Champs-Elysees avenue was bustling with tourists and local shoppers.
The Triumphal Arch was once again open to tourists, unlike what happened on Tuesday when the sixth national strike mobilizing more than one million people was going on.
However, it was hardly a clear end to the public outcry against the reform -- despite the apparent peacefulness of the Paris streets.
Cars ran smoothly in most parts of the city, not stopped by protesters or blockades, but drivers had to wait in long lines because fuel supplies were scant. More than a few gas stations posted "out of service" or "no more fuel" on gas pumps.
One fuel seeker, who refused to be named, told Xinhua she spent two hours in the evening waiting in line for fuel after she failed to get oil at two nearby service stations.
More high school students were roaming about near closed schools or on the streets. The Education Ministry said at least 312 high schools were hit by protests on Thursday.
Fearless youngsters had demonstrated their clout by confronting, even clashing with, riot police, which local media described as a disgrace for trade unions.
Moreover, young protesters damaged cars and bus stops in the Paris suburbs. Riot police dispersed them with tear gas, but similar violence occurred once more on Thursday in Lyon, broadcasted by local television channels.
Local reports said thousands of students took to the streets of Paris to protest, but didn't spark any further conflict.
A high school gate in central Paris was blocked by garbage carts, while scores of students were chatting and lingering outside.
More violence was reported in several southern cities, where people's daily life was more seriously affected.
In Lyon, hundreds of protesters, including young people wearing hoods, picked fights with police on commercial streets downtown for the third day in a row. Police arrested 200 youngsters who were displaying gangster-like behavior to prevent further looting and damage to shops and vehicles.
Early Thursday morning, trade unionists briefly blocked the Marseille airport, causing long lines and flight delays. Some travelers had to leave their cars and walk to boarding areas.
The French port city had been suffering the stink of garbage for days as there was no trash collection, before some workers wearing white clothes and masks finally appeared Thursday morning to deal with the piling waste.
The battle of will between the French government and protesters backed by opposition parties made headlines in an increasing number of newspapers.
The expected final vote on the pension bill in the Senate on Thursday night was postponed due to an open-ended debate on various amendments proposed by the opposition parties.
President Sarkozy, who ordered riot police to break blocked fuel depots, said he is aware of the people's concerns but stressed his firm will to have the bill passed.
The president blamed the protesters for undermining the fragile economic recovery and smearing France's international image.
However, unions said they had no intention to stop the fight unless the government agreed to re-open negotiations with them.
Labor unions met again on Thursday and decided to take renewed nationwide actions on Oct. 28 and Nov. 6. Their campaign will most likely continue.
The current fuel shortage could cloud the upcoming long holiday in France, but it could also make the strikes halt temporarily, posing a chance for the government and a problem for the unions. — Xinhua