<p>The ninth day of protests against the pension reforms in France saw over a million people take to the streets, with at least&nbsp;119,000 in Paris&nbsp;alone. It was a day of violent protests as a&nbsp;Bordeaux town hall was set on fire. It wasn't clear who was behind the blaze which was quickly put out.&nbsp;</p>

<p>President Emmanuel Macron's hugely controversial pension reform&nbsp;saw&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;clash with French security forces on Thursday.&nbsp;The reform calls for the retirement age to be increased from 62 to 64.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Protests rock France over raising of retirement age</strong></p>

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<p>As per Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, 149 police officers and dozens of protestors were injured in the Thursday clashes. In addition, 172 people were arrested across the country, 72 of them in Paris.</p>

<p>Darmanin alleged that "there are thugs, often from the far-left, who want to bring down the state and kill police officers."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-braces-for-ninth-nationwide-day-of-strikes-against-pension-reform-bill-574952">France braces for ninth day of nationwide strikes against pension reform bill</a></strong></p>

<p>Reportedly lighting fires&nbsp;throughout the city centre and engaging in a sort of cat-and-mouse game with the security forces, the rioting groups continued to clash with police in Paris late into the night.&nbsp;As per Darmanin, 140 fires were set alight in Paris.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rubbish-piles-up-in-paris-protests-over-pension-reforms-continue-across-france-574675">Rubbish piles up in Paris, protests over pension reforms continue across France</a></strong></p>

<p>In several other cities, including Nantes, and Lorient in the west, and Lille in the north, to subdue protestors, police had to fire tear gas. In Rennes,&nbsp;water cannons were put into use. Additionally, as per AFP, in the southwestern city of Bordeaux, the porch of the city hall was briefly set on fire.</p>

<p>As per the French interior ministry, around 1.089 million protesters took part in demonstrations across France. In Paris, the turnout stood at 119,000, which as per AFP is the highest for the capital since the movement started in January.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The ninth day of protests against the pension reforms in France saw over a million people take to the streets, with at least 119,000 in Paris alone. It was a day of violent protests as a Bordeaux town hall was set on fire.

The ninth day of protests against the pension reforms in France saw over a million people take to the streets, with at least 119,000 in Paris alone. It was a day of violent protests as a Bordeaux town hall was set on fire. It wasn't clear who was behind the blaze which was quickly put out. President Emmanuel Macron's hugely controversial pension reform saw protesters clash with French security forces on Thursday. The reform calls for the retirement age to be increased from 62 to 64. Watch | Protests rock France over raising of retirement age As per Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, 149 police officers and dozens of protestors were injured in the Thursday clashes. In addition, 172 people were arrested across the country, 72 of them in Paris. Darmanin alleged that "there are thugs, often from the far-left, who want to bring down the state and kill police officers." Also read | France braces for ninth day of nationwide strikes against pension reform bill Reportedly lighting fires throughout the city centre and engaging in a sort of cat-and-mouse game with the security forces, the rioting groups continued to clash with police in Paris late into the night. As per Darmanin, 140 fires were set alight in Paris. Also read | Rubbish piles up in Paris, protests over pension reforms continue across France In several other cities, including Nantes, and Lorient in the west, and Lille in the north, to subdue protestors, police had to fire tear gas. In Rennes, water cannons were put into use. Additionally, as per AFP, in the southwestern city of Bordeaux, the porch of the city hall was briefly set on fire. As per the French interior ministry, around 1.089 million protesters took part in demonstrations across France. In Paris, the turnout stood at 119,000, which as per AFP is the highest for the capital since the movement started in January. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

France pension reform protests turn violent, Bordeaux town hall set on fire

<p>The ninth day of nationwide strikes against an unpopular pension reforms bill kicked off in France on Thursday. Train services were disrupted and some schools were shut amid the strikes. Protesters blocked a highway near Toulouse in southwestern France early morning and a bus depot in the west, in Rennes, Le Parisien newspaper said. Garbage was seen piling on the streets of France. Several protest rallies are set to take place across the country later in the day.</p>

<p>Even as the people of France protest against raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday said the legislation would come into force by year-end. The policy change requires people to work till the age of 64 in order to draw a full pension. Worker unions have been organising rallies against the bill since January this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The best response we can give the president is that there are millions of people on strike and in the streets," said Philippe Martinez, who leads the hardline CGT union.</p>

<p>Till now, most protests have been peaceful. But people are angrier ever since the government pushed the bill through parliament without a vote last week. There have been spontaneous demonstrations in Paris and other cities in the past seven days. Angry protesters have set fire to rubbish bins and entered into scuffles with police.</p>

<p>Dumpsters blocking the road were set on fire&nbsp;in Toulouse on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="fr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Toulouse?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Toulouse</a> rocade A620 échangeur de la Cépière. <a href="https://t.co/QdHAPGtJEP">pic.twitter.com/QdHAPGtJEP</a></p>
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<p>Labour unions said Thursday's strikes and protests would draw huge crowds against&nbsp; Macron's&nbsp;"scorn" and "lies".</p>

<p>Meanwhile, polls show that a wide majority of French are opposed to the pension&nbsp;reform legislation. What makes the situation worse is the fact that the government decided to push it through parliament without a vote.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Labour Minister Olivier Dussopt acknowledged that the government understood the anger, but wanted to move on.</p>

<p>"There is a disagreement that will persist on the retirement age. On the other hand, there are many subjects which make it possible to renew dialogue," he said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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The ninth day of nationwide strikes against an unpopular pension reforms bill kicked off in France on Thursday. Train services were disrupted and some schools were shut amid the strikes.

The ninth day of nationwide strikes against an unpopular pension reforms bill kicked off in France on Thursday. Train services were disrupted and some schools were shut amid the strikes. Protesters blocked a highway near Toulouse in southwestern France early morning and a bus depot in the west, in Rennes, Le Parisien newspaper said. Garbage was seen piling on the streets of France. Several protest rallies are set to take place across the country later in the day. Even as the people of France protest against raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday said the legislation would come into force by year-end. The policy change requires people to work till the age of 64 in order to draw a full pension. Worker unions have been organising rallies against the bill since January this year. "The best response we can give the president is that there are millions of people on strike and in the streets," said Philippe Martinez, who leads the hardline CGT union. Till now, most protests have been peaceful. But people are angrier ever since the government pushed the bill through parliament without a vote last week. There have been spontaneous demonstrations in Paris and other cities in the past seven days. Angry protesters have set fire to rubbish bins and entered into scuffles with police. Dumpsters blocking the road were set on fire in Toulouse on Thursday. #Toulouse rocade A620 échangeur de la Cépière. pic.twitter.com/QdHAPGtJEP — Talilite (@Talilyte) March 23, 2023 × Labour unions said Thursday's strikes and protests would draw huge crowds against Macron's "scorn" and "lies". Meanwhile, polls show that a wide majority of French are opposed to the pension reform legislation. What makes the situation worse is the fact that the government decided to push it through parliament without a vote. × Labour Minister Olivier Dussopt acknowledged that the government understood the anger, but wanted to move on. "There is a disagreement that will persist on the retirement age. On the other hand, there are many subjects which make it possible to renew dialogue," he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

France braces for ninth day of nationwide strikes against pension reform bill

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France pension reform protests turn violent, Bordeaux town hall set on fire

France braces for ninth day of nationwide strikes against pension reform bill