Protests erupted in France against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms, leading to the postponement of Britain’s King Charles III’s state visit.
The demonstrations demanded that Charles cancel his trip, which was scheduled to start Sunday. The protests and labor strikes against Macron’s decision to raise France’s retirement age from 62 to 64 had already promised to impact his visit.
Macron condemned the violent behavior that has taken place at some of the protests against his plan, saying “violence has no place in a democracy.” Although no major protests were planned for Friday, there were still some minor disruptions, such as slowed train traffic, blocked access to Marseille’s port, and debris in the streets of Paris. Over 450 protesters were arrested, and 441 police officers and gendarmes were injured in some marches.
The protests drew over a million people nationwide, with most French people opposing the need to work two more years before retiring.
The Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, added that 1,000 trash bins were set on fire in the French capital, a symbol of the protests during a weeks-long strike by sanitation workers.
Due to the ongoing unrest across the country, French President Emmanuel Macron postponed King Charles III’s state visit, citing “common sense and friendship.” Macron said it would have become a protest target and created a “detestable situation.” Charles and Queen Consort Camilla planned to visit France and Germany during the king’s first trip abroad as Britain’s monarch.
He still plans to go to Germany, but another date would be found for the French leg. Before the king’s visit was postponed, Mayor Pierre Hurmic of Bordeaux said he hoped it wouldn’t get canceled. Fires were intentionally lit in Paris in narrow or inaccessible alleys on Thursday night, alarming both city officials and residents.
Firefighters and residents worked together to tame the flames that rose to the second story of an apartment building in the chic Palais Royal area. Protests have also targeted oil refineries, with protesters heading to the Fos-sur-mer oil depot near Marseille to stop trucks from entering and leaving.
French Energy Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said fuel supplies to Paris from the large Gonfreville-L’Orcher refinery in Normandy resumed Friday after police intervened.
The Civil Aviation Authority has requested the cancellation of one-third of flights at Paris’ second airport, Orly, on Sunday, and 20% canceled on Monday, fearing disruptions in the coming days as actions continue. Unions have called for new protests and strikes on Tuesday.
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