French police use tear gas to end pension reform protests

PARIS (Agencies): French police used tear gas to disperse protesters blockading a Paris bus depot on Thursday, the latest confrontation between authorities and unions over plans to reform the pension system. Video footage from a BFM television reporter published on Twitter showed police firing tear gas into a crowd at the entrance to the bus depot. BFM television also showed a stand-off later in the morning in central Paris, near the Opera Garnier.

The 29-day strike, which left thousands of travelers stranded over the Christmas holidays, exceeded the longest transport strike to date in France, which lasted for 28 days in 1986 and early 1987. Defying weeks of nationwide protests, French President Emmanuel Macron, while keen to make progress in talks with unions, is still determined to push through with his pension reform plans. Unions have refused to back down on Macron’s reforms.

The outcome appears to depend on who gives in first.