Day Of Protest & Strike Action To Hit Industry As Macron Attends EUCO

A major day of strike action and protest is underway in France in opposition to the gov'ts pension reform plans, and its method of implementing the controversial measures. Small demonstrations have taken place in Paris over the past week since the announcement that the gov't would use Article 49.3 of the Constitution to push through the reforms without a vote, but today's action is set to be much more widespread. Railway workers, teachers, refuse collectors, and oil refinery workers are among those set to strike today.

• The gov't has renewed its requisition order demanding that some workers at the Fos-sur-Mer depot in the south of the country return to work in order to avoid fuel shortages in the region. Police and protesters have been injured at clashes at the plant.
• President Emmanuel Macron will be in Brussels today for the European Council summit, but much of his focus is likely to be on domestic issues. Opinion polls show a large proportion of respondents opposed to the pension reforms and disapproving of his gov't. In an interview on 22 March he stated that "This reform isn't a luxury, it's not a pleasure, it's a necessity,"
• The immediate issue for the gov't is whether today proves the 'last hurrah' for the trade unions in engaging in major protest and strikes against the reforms - given that they will pass into law and are set to be implemented by year end - or if action such as this continues over the weeks and months ahead.