Macron wants pension law in place in 2023

French leader remains resolved to increase retirement age to 64 amid protests

Riot police scuffle with protesters during a protest in Rennes, western France, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The bill pushed through by President Emmanuel Macron without lawmakers' approval still faces a review by the Constitutional Council before it can be signed into law. Meanwhile, oil shipments in the country were disrupted amid strikes at several refineries in western and southern France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)
Riot police scuffle with protesters during a protest in Rennes, western France, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The bill pushed through by President Emmanuel Macron without lawmakers' approval still faces a review by the Constitutional Council before it can be signed into law. Meanwhile, oil shipments in the country were disrupted amid strikes at several refineries in western and southern France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)

PARIS -- French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that the pension bill he pushed through without a vote in parliament needs to be implemented by the "end of the year," sticking to his decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 despite mass protests.

Macron, who made the comments in an interview broadcast on national television, said the bill will "continue its democratic path."

The Constitutional Council needs to review the bill in the coming weeks, and it can only be turned into law after the body gives its approval.

It was the first time that Macron spoke publicly since his government forced the pension bill through parliament last week, prompting scattered protests in Paris and across the country, some degenerating into violence. His government survived two no-confidence votes at the lower chamber of parliament on Monday.

The 45-year-old president repeatedly said that he was convinced that France's retirement system had needed to be modified to keep it financed.

"That reform is not a luxury, it is not fun, it's a necessity for the country," he said.

Macron also condemned the violence at some protests.

He notably referred to rioters storming the U.S. Capitol in 2021 and Brazil's top government buildings earlier this year, as well as the yellow vest movement against social injustice in France in 2018 which led to violent clashes and vandalism in the Paris streets.

"When the United States of America lived what they lived at the Capitol, when Brazil lived what it lived, when you have seen extreme violence in Germany, The Netherlands, or sometimes here at home in the past ... we must say that we do respect (peaceful protesters), we do listen, we're trying to move the country forward ... but we cannot accept factious people nor factions," he said.

At the same time, Macron insisted that he respects unions and protests organized by opponents to show that they disagree with the pension plan, seeking to clarify that he considers they are legitimate -- unlike troublemakers. "We must listen to them, listen to their anger and respond to it," he said.

Unions have called for new nationwide protests and strikes today to demand that the government simply withdraw the retirement bill. High-speed and regional trains, Paris metro and other public transportation in major cities were expected to be disrupted.

Macron acknowledged that a majority of the French are opposed to the reform. "But between opinion polls and the general interest of the country, I'm choosing the general interest ... And if it means bearing unpopularity afterwards, I will bear it."

He also said he "trusts" Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne to continue leading the government, suggesting he is not planning a government reshuffle.

Early on Wednesday, dock workers in Marseille blocked access to the city's commercial port -- France's biggest -- preventing trucks and cars from entering amid a heavy police presence.

Garbage was still piling up on some Paris streets as sanitation workers entered their 17th day of a strike. Authorities issued an order in recent days requiring some garbage employees to ensure a "minimum service" for health reasons.

Oil shipments in the country were partially disrupted amid strikes at several refineries in western and southern France. Gas stations in the country's southeast region are currently the most affected by shortages.

In Rennes, in the western region of Brittany, clashes with police broke out Wednesday at a protest initially called by fishermen angry at rising oil prices and an EU draft plan to ban heavy weighted nets that sweep the seabed.

The fishermen were joined by various groups of people protesting Macron's pension bill and the demonstration turned into a broader show of anger, with some participants throwing objects and flares and setting fire to garbage and other articles. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons.

  photo  A man at a bar watches French President Emmanuel Macron speaking during an interview with journalists on television in Marseille, southern France, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Macron said Wednesday that the pension bill that he pushed through without a vote in parliament needs to be implemented by the "end of the year." (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
 
 
  photo  Dock workers stand in front of a burning barricade next the port of Marseille southern France, Wednesday, March 22, 2023.The bill pushed through by President Emmanuel Macron without lawmakers' approval still faces a review by the Constitutional Council before it can be signed into law. Meanwhile, oil shipments in the country were disrupted amid strikes at several refineries in western and southern France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
 
 
  photo  Dock workers stand in front of a burning barricade next the port of Marseille southern France, Wednesday, March 22, 2023.The bill pushed through by President Emmanuel Macron without lawmakers' approval still faces a review by the Constitutional Council before it can be signed into law. Meanwhile, oil shipments in the country were disrupted amid strikes at several refineries in western and southern France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
 
 
  photo  French President Emmanuel Macron is pictured on national television in Saint-Pee sur Nivelle, south-western France, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. French President Emmanuel Macron appeared on national television on Wednesday for the first time since his government forced through the bill age amid mass protests. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)
 
 
  photo  Dock workers face riot police as they stand in front of a burning barricade next the port of Marseille southern France, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The bill pushed through by President Emmanuel Macron without lawmakers' approval still faces a review by the Constitutional Council before it can be signed into law. Meanwhile, oil shipments in the country were disrupted amid strikes at several refineries in western and southern France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
 
 
  photo  A protester throws a smoke canister towards riot police during a protest in Rennes, western France, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The bill pushed through by President Emmanuel Macron without lawmakers' approval still faces a review by the Constitutional Council before it can be signed into law. Meanwhile, oil shipments in the country were disrupted amid strikes at several refineries in western and southern France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)
 
 
  photo  A riot police officer shields from an incoming flare during a protest in Rennes, western France, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The bill pushed through by President Emmanuel Macron without lawmakers' approval still faces a review by the Constitutional Council before it can be signed into law. Meanwhile, oil shipments in the country were disrupted amid strikes at several refineries in western and southern France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)
 
 
  photo  A family watch the interview of French President Emmanuel Macron on national television in Saint-Pee sur Nivelle, south-western France, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. French President Emmanuel Macron appeared on national television on Wednesday for the first time since his government forced through the bill age amid mass protests. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)
 
 
  photo  Riot police scuffle with protesters during a protest in Rennes, western France, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Macron said Wednesday that the pension bill that he pushed through without a vote in parliament needs to be implemented by the "end of the year." Meanwhile, oil shipments in the country were disrupted amid strikes at several refineries in western and southern France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)
 
 

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