France: Social tensions rise as we wait for PM’s announcements

2019 has been a year of social tensions. After the Yellow Vests movement which begun at the end of 2018, a new strike is underway in France since December 5 th , with 800 000 people across the country having joined in the first day . Th e demonstration arises 24 years after the famous 3-week-time paralysis of 1995, which was also triggered by a planned change in the pension system by the Juppe government . The protest aims at the pension reform proposed by the High Commissioner for Pensions, Jean-Paul Delevoye . The reform, however, is still at a very early stage and more specific plans should have been presented in the middle of December by the government. In reaction to the protests , PM Philippe will present the draft law on Wednesday that should then be discussed in the Parliament in the coming months . On top of the rejection of the pension reform , the protest e rs , joined by some Yellow Vests , are also demonstrating for more social justice and a change in the reform dynamics .