French pension reform plan triggers new strikes, protests

By THOMAS ADAMSON and JADE LE DELEY
Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — Public transport, schools and electricity supplies have been disrupted in France as tens of thousands of demonstrators are taking to the streets for a third round of nationwide strikes and protests against planned pension reforms. Rail operator SNCF said train traffic was severely disrupted across the country. The demonstrations on Tuesday came a day after French lawmakers began debating a pension bill that would raise the minimum retirement from 62 to 64 by 2030. People marched in Paris, the cities of Nice, Marseille, Toulouse, Nantes, and elsewhere across the country. Much of the Paris march was peaceful, but police said officers detained 10 people for “throwing projectiles” and alleged vandalism.