Union leaders left meeting with government calling it 'not useful' and 'a one way monologue'
For the first time since massive regular protests began in January, the French government has held discussions with union leaders regarding a two year hike to the retirement age.
A notable problem with that long delay is that the age hike has already been forced into law via a decree by President Emmanuel Macron.
Public opinion is overwhelmingly against the change but the government is standing firm even though anger is rising to threatening levels nationwide. The first lady's nephew was recently beaten by protesters over the age hike.
Over 60% of the country wants the Prime Minister fired and neither Macron nor his ministers can appear in public without protesters, noisily banging casserole pans.
There's enormous anger right now.
Macron has destroyed or social services given huge tax gifts to the rich, persecuted and jailed protesters while allowing the far right to demonstrate without barely any police presence.
And this is not even a complete list.
People just want to live normally, but the Macron era is one of sadness and poverty.
French Protestor 01
Unions say the country will not get back to normal unless the age hike is revoked. France has seen massive anti government unrest regularly for well over a decade, and usually over far right austerity measures.
France and the European Union continue to be hounded by accusations that they are anti democratic, and the latest of many French presidential decrees has only further increased dissatisfaction and dissent.
There is a growing realization that our major national policies are decided in Brussels, and that our president is a mere puppet.
We're also subservient to Washington. Simply look at what we're doing in Ukraine for more proof.
So there's no hope that we'll have democracy during the last four years of Macron's term. But if we don't get it in 2027, things will explode.
French Protestor 02
Union leaders left a closed door meeting calling it 'not useful' and 'a one way monologue'.
The pension age hike has overshadowed other crises, such as, record inflation, the arming of the unrest in Ukraine and stagnant wages. But all of those remain unresolved flashpoints as well, barring a surprise reversal from the government, unions are planning 14 days of nationwide strikes next month.
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