Trade unions plan today, Thursday, in 200 municipalities in France, to organize their ninth and largest protest against reforming the retirement age, in a move described by the media as "Black Thursday".

In Paris, protesters are expected to march from the Place de la Bastille along the boulevards to the Place de la Opéra in the afternoon, with the participation of up to 70,000 people. With advice to motorists to avoid moving in this area of the city.

In a television interview, French President Emmanuel Macron announced, on the other hand, his commitment to reforming the pension system, despite the protests of the unions. He stressed that the authorities will not allow a recurrence of the unrest that occurred in recent days during the spontaneous demonstrations in the capital and the provinces.
Additional security measures
In addition, the authorities, in anticipation of the ninth wave of protests, took additional security measures. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin ordered 5,000 policemen and gendarmerie to perform their duties in the capital.

Prior to the demonstrations, screenings will be conducted in order to identify weapons and other prohibited items. The minister urged law enforcement not to respond to provocations that, he said, could be carried out by the far left.

According to the regional intelligence service of the French National Police Directorate, up to 600 extremist elements, including the yellow vests, may participate in the demonstrations.

The police said that more than 300 policemen and gendarmes have been injured since protests against pension reform began two months ago.

Last week alone, the police arrested 855 people for various crimes during the demonstrations, 729 of them in Paris.

It is noteworthy that the capital's march is scheduled to end today, Thursday, after 19:00 local time (21:00 Moscow time). The unions are then expected to decide at their meeting how to proceed.

Airport paralysis

With regard to air traffic, the General Directorate of Civil Aviation in France, in connection with notifications of strikes received from trade unions in the industry, ordered the cancellation of a third of flights at Orly airport in the capital. The number of flights offered by Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse airports has also been reduced by 20%.

In addition, airport authorities warned passengers of the possibility of other violations, and recommended that they reschedule their air travel days.
Source: agencies