French pension strikes
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Brief introduction
Millions of people including union members, political leaders, young workers and students marched through France's main cities attempting to force Nicolas Sarkozy's government to back off on retirement reforms.
According to labor unions' figures, about 2.9 million demonstrators participated in protests and strikes across the country. But the French Interior Ministry said the figure was just 899,000.
In Paris some 310,000 protesters took to the streets to protest against the raise of retirement age, said the unions. But police said only 63,000 people took part in the demonstration. [Full story]
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Nationwide pension strikes |
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French postal workers, airport staff and drivers joined with refinery workers and masses of citizens Tuesday in a sixth day of nationwide strikes and protests against President Nicolas Sarkozy's plan to raise the retirement age.?[Full story]
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? Millions take to streets in protest of pension reforms in France
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Sarkozy's firm stance |
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy refused Wednesday to retreat on pension reform, saying that it was "out of the question" to reduce the minimum retirement age below 62.
According to a statement from the Elysee Palace following the weekly cabinet meeting, Sarkozy repeated his firmness on this issue to his ministers. [Full story]
? Sarkozy, labor unions face showdown over pension reform
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Parliament action |
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French higher parliament house approved Monday night to prolong the full-pension age regardless of contribution period to 67 instead of present 65.
With 174 votes for and 159 against, the important article of the controversial pension reform bill succeed to make headway by push of the UMP-led right-wing senators, while the left-wing parties, including the Socialist Party, unanimously voted against the bill. [Full story]
? French Senate passes bill raising retirement age to 62
? French Senate examines pension reforms bill amid unions' refusal
? French lower house of parliament adopts pension reform bill
