A female farmer was killed and her husband and daughter were injured when a car crashed into a roadblock during a nationwide protest by French farmers in the south-west, one of France's key agricultural regions. The accident, which occurred south of Toulouse, was not believed to be deliberate. The farmers have been protesting new environmental regulations and rising energy costs, with blockades on key roads. The incident has sparked widespread determination among farmers, with tractors and lorries blocking motorways and the agriculture minister calling it a "tragedy for all of us."
French President Emmanuel Macron met with mayors of 220 towns affected by violent protests following the fatal police shooting of a teenager. Macron assured the mayors that the peak of violence had passed and announced new laws to expedite the reconstruction of damaged areas. However, many mayors expressed the need for more action to restore order and address the underlying issues that contribute to urban riots. The unrest was driven by a predominantly teenage backlash in suburban and urban housing projects, fueled by perceived discrimination against young people with immigrant backgrounds.
French film director Justine Triet used her Palme d’Or acceptance speech at the Cannes Film Festival to criticize French President Emmanuel Macron’s handling of the pension reform protests, calling it “shocking.” Triet also spoke about the “commodification of culture” and the need to make room for new voices in French cinema. Her film, “The Anatomy of a Chute,” beat off competition from Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City” to win the prestigious award. The Cannes Film Festival was overshadowed by social unrest in France, with fears that protests and electricity outages may impact festival events.
French protesters took to the streets for the eleventh day of strikes and protests against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform, with clashes breaking out in several cities. The Constitutional Council is set to rule on the validity of the reform on April 14, but unions have already called for a 12th day of strikes and protests on the eve of the ruling. Macron's government argues that raising the retirement age and stiffening the requirements for a full pension are required to balance the pension system amid rising life expectancy, but unions say the proposed measures are unfair and will disproportionately affect low-skilled workers who start their careers early, as well as women.
A video of French President Emmanuel Macron removing his wristwatch during a TV interview went viral, with claims that the "luxury" item is worth €80,000 ($85,000). However, French media reports debunked the claim, stating that the watch is made by Bell and Ross and costs between €1,600 and €2,400. Macron removed the watch to prevent noise from being picked up by sensitive microphones. The protests were against the Macron government's decision to use special constitutional powers to sidestep a parliamentary vote on the bill that will raise the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence that erupted during Thursday's demonstrations against raising the French retirement age and vowed to continue with the "democratic process" to legalise the reform. The pension reform bill is now being examined by France's highest constitutional authority. Macron said he was ready to talk to union leaders once the Constitutional Council has made its decision on the pension reform bill. A planned state visit to France from Britain's King Charles III has been postponed due to the ongoing protests.
French officials say they are focused on King Charles III's first state visit on Sunday, despite violence at protests in several cities. The King is due to visit Paris and Bordeaux, where the entrance to the town hall was set alight on Thursday. Mayor Pierre Hurmic said the trip had been adapted so it "can go ahead under the best security, so as not to expose the King to the slightest difficulty". The trip, which begins on Sunday, is due to include a ride along the Champs-Elysées in the heart of Paris and a banquet at Versailles with President Emmanuel Macron.
At least 457 people were arrested and 441 security forces injured during nationwide protests against French President Emmanuel Macron’s pensions reform. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin praised the police for protecting the more than one million people who marched around France. The most violent day of protests since they began in January saw 903 fires lit in the streets of Paris. The pensions reform cleared parliament last week in controversial circumstances, but protesters are calling for its withdrawal.
French workers angry over the government's decision to increase the retirement age to 64 blocked access to a terminal at Charles de Gaulle airport, disrupted train services, and caused garbage to pile up on the streets. Unions are pressuring the government to withdraw the law that delays retirement by two years. President Emmanuel Macron says the legislation will come into force by year-end despite escalating tensions. The schism represents the most serious challenge to Macron since the "Yellow Vest" revolt four years ago.
