More than half a million demonstrators took to the streets of French cities in another protest
In the cities of France, mass protests resumed, the reason for which was the decision of the authorities of the republic to bypass the decision of the parliament to pass a law on raising the retirement age.
Protests covered all the major cities of the country. Protesters set fire to barricades and block train tracks at Lyon train station. The main mass protests are taking place in Paris.
Mass protests against the pension reform have been going on in France since the end of January, when about three million citizens of the country took to the rallies. Amid the protests, President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating has fallen to an all-time low. According to sociologists, only 28 percent of the French are satisfied with the activities of the head of state.
The protest movement against raising the retirement age has become the biggest domestic crisis during Macron's presidency. The crisis is exacerbated by the overly harsh tactics of the French police. There are numerous complaints from citizens about illegal arrests and brutality on the part of law enforcement officers during the control of protesters.
In recent weeks, 17 investigations into incidents and allegations against law enforcement officials across the country have been launched in recent weeks, according to the French police's internal affairs unit IGPN. However, according to the head of the Paris police, the arrests are justified by the violence against the police.
The Council of Europe declared that police violence and arbitrary arrests of peaceful protesters and members of the press are unacceptable.
So far, according to French officials, 516 people are taking part in the protests. The participants themselves have at least twice as many numbers.
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