2022 French protests: Difference between revisions
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==== 25 and 27 October ==== |
==== 25 and 27 October ==== |
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Certain unions called for fresh strikes to be taken on 10 November.<ref>{{Cite web |title=France braces for new massive strike amid cost of living woes |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/france-braces-for-new-massive-strike-amid-cost-of-living-woes/2720240 |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 October 2022 |title=Nouvelle journée de grève et de manifestations pour demander de meilleurs salaires, à l'appel de la CGT |language=fr |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2022/10/27/salaires-journee-d-action-de-la-cgt_6147528_3234.html |access-date=2022-10-28}}</ref> |
Certain unions called for fresh strikes to be taken on 10 November.<ref>{{Cite web |title=France braces for new massive strike amid cost of living woes |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/france-braces-for-new-massive-strike-amid-cost-of-living-woes/2720240 |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 October 2022 |title=Nouvelle journée de grève et de manifestations pour demander de meilleurs salaires, à l'appel de la CGT |language=fr |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2022/10/27/salaires-journee-d-action-de-la-cgt_6147528_3234.html |access-date=2022-10-28}}</ref> |
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=== 2023 === |
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[[File:Paris-2023-01-19-manif-retraites14.jpg|thumb|292x292px|Demonstration against the pension reforms unveiled by French government, Paris.]] |
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More than one million people took to the streets in Paris and other French towns on Thursday as part of countrywide protests over proposals to raise the retirement age.<ref name=":6" /> Eight of the largest unions participated in the strike over pension reforms.<ref name=":7" /> The French Ministry of the Interior said that 80,000 demonstrator gathered in the streets in Paris, where small numbers threw bottles, rocks, and fireworks at riot police.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Ziady |first=Joseph Ataman,Marguerite Lacroix,Hanna |date=2023-01-19 |title=Striking French workers lead 1 million people in protest over plans to raise retirement age {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/19/business/france-strikes-retirement-age-protest/index.html |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Over 200 demonstrations were reported in the country.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Houdayer |first=Géraldine |date=19 January 2023 |title=Réforme des retraites: la CGT annonce "plus de 2 millions" de manifestants, le gouvernement 1,12 million |work=[[France Bleu]] |url=https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/economie-social/reforme-des-retraites-suivez-la-premiere-journee-de-mobilisation-6599390 |access-date=}}</ref> |
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Despite the demonstrations, Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the pension reforms will go forward. French unions have declared that further strikes and protests would be held on January 31 in an effort to halt the government's plans to raise the standard retirement age from 62 to 64.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-19 |title=France: Over 1 million march against raising retirement age |url=https://apnews.com/article/france-retirement-age-limit-protests-866eb86aea5cf0d39894b96d2888c26f |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref> Some flights out of Orly Airport were canceled, while the Eurostar website reported the cancellation of many routes between Paris and London. Though "a few delays" were reported at Charles de Gaulle Airport owing to striking air traffic controllers, no flights were canceled.<ref name=":7" /> |
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== Analysis == |
== Analysis == |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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* [[2022 Europe inflation protests]] |
* [[2022 Europe inflation protests]] |
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* [[Regional effects of the 2021–2022 global energy crisis]] |
* [[Regional effects of the 2021–2022 global energy crisis]] |
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Revision as of 09:15, 23 January 2023
| 2022 French protests | |
|---|---|
| Part of protests against Emmanuel Macron | |
 Procession of Révolution Permanente on 16 October 2022, in a demonstration for supporting the strikers | |
| Date | 16 October 2022 |
| Location | France |
| Caused by | Rise of living costs |
| Methods |
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Statewide demonstrations and strikes were launched in France against the rise in the cost of living, and Emanuel Macron administration's policies. In 2022, the demonstrations erupted following weeks of "walkouts" that have crippled oil refineries and caused gasoline shortages.[1] The demonstrations have been described by Caroline Pailliez and Clotaire Achi of Reuters as the "stiffest challenge" for Emanuel Macron since his re-election in May 2022.[2] In 2023, more than one million people gathered on the streets across the French cities to protest against the Macron's plan to raise the standard retirement age from 62 to 64.
Background
According to the French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, on 18 October less than a 25% of petrol stations across France were experiencing shortages,[1] which was less than the 30% percent previously on 7 October.[3] Strike action and unplanned maintenance had led to more than 60 percent of France's refining capacity – or 740,000 barrels per day (bpd) — being offline which in turn forced the country to import more amid the increased energy costs due to the global supply uncertainty.[1] Strikes have further erupted into other sectors such as energy, "including nuclear giant EDF, where maintenance work crucial for Europe’s power supply will be delayed."[1] There have been weeks of strikes at oil refineries for higher salaries which led to calls for a nationwide and general strike.[4][1]
French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the United States, Norway and other "friendly" natural gas supplier states for the extremely high prices of their supplies, saying that Europeans are "paying four times more than the price you sell to your industry. That is not exactly the meaning of friendship."[5][6]
Timeline of the demonstrations
2022
16 October
The first demonstrations occurred on 16 October 2022, when tens of thousands of people marched in Paris to protest the rising cost of living, during an increasing political situation manifested by strikes at oil refineries and nuclear power plants that threatened to spread.[7] Annie Ernaux, winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature, known for as an "outspoken supporter of the left", participated in the demonstrations.[7] Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of leftist party La France Insoumise (France Unbowed), was also among the participants.[4]
18 October
On Tuesday, transportation workers, as well as some high school teachers and public hospital personnel, demonstrated in dozens of locations across France.[1] According to the French interior minister, 107,000 people participated in the protests following calls from leftwing parties. A number of black-clad protesters clashed with the Police and smashed shop windows with 11 protesters being arrested in Paris.[2] Other estimates stated that over 300,000 people participated in the protests.[8] Accordingly, thousands protested in Bordeaux, Le Havre, Lille, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and Rennes, while union leaders estimated that 70,000 people marched in Paris.[8]
Students protested outside hundreds of additional schools across the nation on Tuesday morning. Protesting students voiced their support for striking refinery workers and opposition to the Macron administration's policies. "We are here against the repression and police violence that are only increasing," said a student speaking to L’Est Republicain.[9] Numerous students also demonstrated in opposition to the government's discriminatory anti-Muslim legislation and deepening gabs to national education. In French public schools, young Muslim women are strictly prohibited to cover their hair or face using any type of fabric.[9]
21 October
Hundreds of protestors gathered in Paris to protest against the killing of Lola Daviet, a 12-year-old girl who was found dead in front of her apartment building. Protesters urged the Macron administration to take the girl's killing as a "wake-up call" to enforce immigration laws, while Daviet's family condemned the usage of "the name and image of their child for political purposes". Smaller protests were held by people in other cities like Lyon and Metz.[10]
25 and 27 October
Certain unions called for fresh strikes to be taken on 10 November.[11][12]
Analysis
Some lawmakers stated that the purpose of the demonstrations was to exert pressure on the administration since "a high-risk week began in the National Assembly, where Mr. Macron no longer has an absolute majority."[7] According to Kacper Kita, analyst and journalist, it is "entirely possible" that the protests could become violent, "especially because the economic situation can get worse and the energy crisis can get worse in the coming weeks and months."[13]
See also
19 January
- 2023 French pension reform strikes
- 2022 Europe inflation protests
- Regional effects of the 2021–2022 global energy crisis
- 2021–2022 global energy crisis
- 2022 food crises
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Why are workers striking and protesting across France?". www.aljazeera.com. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ a b Pailliez, Caroline; Achi, Clotaire (18 October 2022). "Scuffles break out as French strike to call for higher wages". Reuters. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ "Paris petrol stations run dry amid TotalEnergies refinery strikes". www.aljazeera.com. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
- ^ a b Libert, Lucien; Mahe, Stéphane (16 October 2022). "Thousands take to the streets of Paris to protest soaring prices". Reuters. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ "Macron Pledges to Talk Tough on Gas When G-7 Meets". Bloomberg. 6 September 2022.
- ^ "Macron Accuses US of Trade 'Double Standard' Amid Energy Crunch". Bloomberg. 21 October 2022.
- ^ a b c Méheut, Constant (16 October 2022). "Tens of Thousands March in Paris to Protest Rising Living Costs". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ a b "French police assault workers marching against inflation and in support of refinery strike". World Socialist Web Site. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ a b "French high school students stage mass walkout in solidarity with striking refinery workers". World Socialist Web Site. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
- ^ "Far-right march in Paris to protest 'barbaric' murder of Lola, 12". euronews. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ "France braces for new massive strike amid cost of living woes". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
- ^ "Nouvelle journée de grève et de manifestations pour demander de meilleurs salaires, à l'appel de la CGT". Le Monde.fr (in French). 27 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
- ^ S.A, Telewizja Polska. "Future protests in France could turn violent: analyst". tvpworld.com. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
