The main door of Bordeaux's town hall was set ablaze as over one million French protestors took to the streets on Thursday.
The
demonstrations were triggered by the French government's decision to
push a controversial pension reform plan through parliament without a
vote.
- The French government's proposal to raise the country's pension age by two years was met with protests and strikes throughout the country.
- The bill's success was in doubt when it was scheduled to be put before France's National Assembly for a vote.
- Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne told
the National Assembly on March 16 that she would invoke article 49.3 of
the French constitution, which permits the government to push bills
through parliament without a vote.
- The decision resulted in widespread protests across the country, including Paris, where police used teargas against protestors.
- The
fire at Bordeaux's town hall was swiftly extinguished as 80 people were
arrested throughout the country in relation to the protests.
- French
unions are planning to hold further protests next Tuesday, the same day
that the U.K.'s King Charles was scheduled to make an appearance in
Bordeaux before postponing the trip due to the unrest.
- Authorities
have shut down tourist attractions including the Eiffel Tower and the
Palace of Versailles, where French President Emmanuel Macron had planned
to host Charles for a dinner.
