ISLAMABAD/PARIS: Protesters in France, angered by the government’s legislation raising the pension age by two years to 64, set Bordeaux town hall ablaze on Thursday in the latest of a series of violent demonstations that have gripped the country.
More than a million people marched against the controversial reform across France on Thursday, with 119,000 in Paris, according to figures from the interior ministry.
It marked the ninth day of a planned mobilization since January, with thousands of workers demonstrating and walking out in various sectors, including transportation, energy and education.
It was not clear who set the fire which was quickly put out by firefighters after it engulfed the front door of the town hall.
In Paris, although demonstrations were generally peaceful but there were occasional clashes between police and masked rioters who broke shop windows, demolished street furniture and attacked a McDonald’s restaurant, according to Reuters news agency.
One cop who lost consciousness was dragged to safety by fellow policemen.
Police fired tear gas and were pelted by objects and fireworks, with 80 people arrested across the country, including 33 in the capital.
Train travel and oil refineries were also disrupted amid the protests with teachers and workers at Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport walking out of work.
Clashes were also reported in the western cities of Nantes, Rennes and Lorient.
Protests deemed a success by unions, French political left
Unions and the political left termed the day a success, but it is quiet uncertain on what would happen next.
The opposition has promised that the protests will not be halted, but unions will need to come up with a strategy, rather than promising more days like Thursday.
