'Resign': France protests escalate as govt pushes through pension change without vote

The Senate on Thursday had earlier adopted the bill, but reluctant oppositions in the  National Assembly to side with Macron implied the government faced defeating the lower house.

Following this decision, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne told MPs that there has to be a decision after 175 hrs of parliament debate, as she announced the move and received jeers and boos from opposition MPs. 

Aurelien Pradie, an MP with the opposition party the Republicans, said the government's move runs "the risk of a democratic rupture in this country".

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said PM Elisabeth Borne should resign. 

“This last-minute resort to 49.3 is an extraordinary sign of weakness.” She added, “She must go.”

Its been over two months since the strikes began occurring in France, with trains, schools, public services and ports being heavily affected. 

Earlier, a rolling strike by municipal collectors in the European country caused about 7,000 tonnes of trash to pile up.

Among thousands of protesters, Laure Cartelier, a 55-year-old teacher, said she’s outraged by what’s happening in the country. “I feel like I’m being cheated as a citizen.”

Some held boards reading "No to 64 years".

During the protest, police fired tear gas and charged many in an effort to disperse the crowd, as some protesters threw cobblestones.

The French unions called for another day of strikes and action against the reform on March 23. 

CGT unionist Christophe Jouanneau at a refinery on strike said, “We’re determined as ever.”