France in Flames

Protests erupted last week in France as President Emmanuel Macron announced he’d be raising the retirement age from 64 to 62. He campaigned as socially progressive, but somewhat economically conservative, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise. He even campaigned on reforming retirement in the name of fiscal prudency.

Still, France is fed up. The protestors figured he’d receive a no confidence vote. He narrowly survived it. And he said he’s sticking with his plan.

Then the protests exploded tenfold. Right now, there are at least a million people in protesting across the nation. In total, we have almost a thousand street garbage and furniture fires, one ton of trash left on the street (garbage workers decided to strike in solidarity), 400 police injuries and almost 500 arrests.

In Nantes and Bordeaux, two major cities, the doors of their city halls were set completely ablaze. There’s no foreseeable end in sight. Macron maintains this is necessary due to inflation and a difficult economy.

#ReformesDesRetraites L’entrée de la mairie de #Bordeaux en feu pic.twitter.com/i2AffFVGzd

— Rue89 Bordeaux (@Rue89Bordeaux) March 23, 2023