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Railway workers invade Louis Vuitton HQ as protests erupt across France on eve of decision on retirement age
Protesters have stormed the headquarters of luxury fashion label Louis Vuitton on the eve of an expected ruling on controversial pension reforms in France.
Striking railway workers invaded the Paris headquarters of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) – which also represents brands including Christian Dior, Fendi and Givenchy – on Thursday.
It comes as tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of the French capital – some clashing with riot police.
Footage from Paris also shows a smashed shop window and a spray-painted Tesla car on fire.
Demonstrations are taking place in towns and cities across the country – including in Rennes where pictures also show a Mercedes on fire – in a final show of anger over proposed changes to pensions.
France national strikes explained: Why are workers so angry?
Reporters follow striking railway workers invading LVMH headquarters in Paris Pic: AP
Striking railway workers seen inside LVMH headquarters Pic: AP
Riot police officers take position during demonstrations
It comes ahead of an expected ruling on whether President Macron‘s unpopular plan to raise the retirement age in France meets constitutional standards.
The plans would see the general retirement age rise from 62 to 64, while sanitation sector workers would be forced to work an extra two years until 59.
Dozens of people waving flags and holding flares aloft were seen entering the LVMH premises on 22, Avenue Montaigne on Thursday morning – the 12th day of nationwide protests since strikes began in mid-January.
Hours earlier, protestors dumped piles of rubbish in front of the Constitutional Council – which is set to make a decision on the legality of the reforms on Friday – and hung a banner across the street reading “Constitutional Censorship”.
A parked Tesla is set on fire
A window is smashed during protests
Protesters watch a burning car during a demonstration in Rennes
The rubbish was eventually cleaned up – but signalled the start of a fresh strike by refuse collectors timed to coincide with Thursday’s nationwide protests.
It follows a previous strike last month which saw the French capital city transformed into a dumpsite with thousands of tonnes of rubbish left festering on the streets.
Several hundred protesters blocked bin lorries at a refuse site south of Paris.
Sophie Binet, the leader of left-wing union, CGT, a key organisation fighting the reforms, vowed: “The mobilisation is far from over.
“As long as this reform isn’t withdrawn, the mobilisation will continue in one form or another.
“This is certainly not the last day of the strike,” she added.
Protesters march during a demonstration in Marseille, southern France Pic: AP
SNCF transport workers in central Paris on Thursday
Striking railway workers demonstrate at the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris Pic: AP
Read more on the French protests:
Dead rats thrown at City Hall as one of Macron’s favourite restaurants set ablaze
Demonstrator in critical condition and 16 hurt in clashes
CGT is among eight unions who joined forces in January to fight against the potential pension reforms.
President Macron said he would organise a meeting with unions following the Council’s decision to start working on other proposals.
But the CGT warned the initiative would be short-lived if Mr Macron was not prepared to discuss withdrawing the pension reforms.
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One of President Emmanuel Macron’s favourite restaurants was set on fire during protests.
Addressing journalists at a news conference during a state visit to the Netherlands on Wednesday, the French premier said: “The country must continue to move forward, work, and face the challenges that await us.”
However French anger shows no sign of abating – with Mr Macron likened to Louis XVI for ignoring the will of the people.