Many parts of Europe, including France and Germany, are suffering from large-scale protests and strikes. France is pushing for pension reform and Germany is pushing for wage negotiations, but both are the largest in at least several decades.
According to the foreign media on the 28th (local time), the 10th protest against pension reform is expected in France. Up to 900,000 people are expected to take to the streets. At the same time, a nationwide strike is expected to add to the extreme confusion.
The French government has decided to mobilize 13,000 police and military police in response to increasingly violent protests. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said, “In the 10th protest, unprecedented security measures will be implemented. He said deploying a career on a large scale was an “unprecedented step”, citing “a serious threat to public order”.
In particular, there are concerns that BRAV-M, which was notorious for its ruthless hardline suppression, could be active. According to AFP, Brav-M was founded in 2019 during the ‘Yellow Vest Protest’. They go in pairs of two, one driving the motorcycle and the other immediately jumping off and chasing the suspect. The French government plans to expand the number of groups from 92 to 150 by the time of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Angry public sentiment is boiling even more after the government enforced the pension reform. Major labor unions also come together for the first time in 12 years and put pressure on the government with a nationwide strike. Some public transportation, trains, and airplanes will be suspended.
The government of Emmanuel Macron invoked Article 49(3) of the Constitution just before the House of Representatives vote on the 16th. It is a clause that allows the Prime Minister to pass a bill that has passed the State Council without a parliamentary vote in the event of an emergency. Opposition members proposed a no-confidence bill in the cabinet, but Prime Minister Elisabeth Born survived both votes on the 20th, and the pension reform bill could remain in effect.
French citizens are calling for the repeal of the law to force them to work longer and more. The main point of the French pension reform law is to extend the retirement age by two years from the current 62 to 64 by 2030. In addition, from 2027, the total service period with full pension payment will be increased to 43 years, an increase of one year from the current level, and the minimum pension will be raised from 75% to 85% of the minimum wage (1,200 euros per month) instead.
In the ninth protest held on the 23rd, 3.5 million citizens (government estimate 1.09 million) participated in 250 regions according to the organizers’ estimate. Violence broke out as the protests intensified, with police responding with tear gas and water cannons. At least 170 people were arrested and 150 police officers were injured.
As the protests were not serious, King Charles III of England canceled a visit to France scheduled for the 26th to 29th. It was the first state visit scheduled since the inauguration of King Charles III.
At the same time, Germany staged the largest trade union strike in decades. Unions are demanding wage increases commensurate with high inflation. It was a 24-hour, one-day strike from midnight on the 27th, but as negotiations are ongoing, the possibility of an additional strike cannot be ruled out.
The two main pillars of the strike were Ver.di, the second largest public service union in Germany, and the Railway Transport Workers’ Union (EVG) in the transport sector. Verdi and EVG have 2.5 million and 230,000 members, respectively. Verdi’s side called the strike “the largest strike in decades.”
Almost all airports, ports, railways and some regional metro lines in Germany have been brought to a halt as a result of the strike. Thousands of flights have been cancelled, and the rail network is paralyzed. As dockers join in, the rail network and port freight traffic have also been hit. Foreign media even evaluated that “Europe’s largest economy has been paralyzed.”
Verdi is asking for a 10.5% wage increase and EVG is asking for a 12% wage increase. The government and the company proposed a 5% increase in the second stage and a lump sum payment of 2,500 euros (about 3.5 million won) and 650 euros (about 910,000 won), respectively. However, the union is rejecting it, saying that it is below the rate of inflation.
The two unions continue wage negotiations this week. Depending on the outcome of the negotiations, it is expected that additional strikes will be decided. Some are raising the possibility of an Easter holiday strike, but Deutsche Welle (DW) reported that nothing has been decided yet.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.