King ‘not welcome’ as France implodes
PARIS: French unions have called for nationwide protests to coincide with King Charles’ first visit, after more than one million people took part in demonstrations to protest against pension reforms.
Police and protesters clashed on the streets of Paris, where an estimated 119,000 protesters united – a record for the capital since the pension protests began in January. At one point security forces fired tear gas and used batons to control the crowd.
At least 80 people were arrested nationwide, while 123 members of the security force were injured in several cities, including Paris.
The violence threatens to cast a shadow over King Charles’ first state visit since becoming monarch when he arrives on Sunday, local time.
French trade unions announced fresh strikes and protests on the second full day of the royal’s tour.
“We are keeping a close eye on the situation and are taking advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the French side,” a source from Buckingham Palace said, adding: “There may be an impact on logistics.”
Opposition French politicians have called on President Emmanuel Macron to call off King Charles’ visit given the tensions across the country.
“Unbelievable! We are going to have Emmanuel Macron, the monarch who is going to welcome King Charles III in Versailles,” Sandrine Rousseau, a senior politician from the Ecologist party, said.
“Of course he should cancel this visit. Is the priority really to welcome Charles III in Versailles?”
Jean-Luc Melenchon, a regular presidential candidate and leader of the France Unbowed party said “It’s not the right time”.
“Mr King, listen, we have nothing against you here, but you’re the king of the English – that’s your business – but you should stay away from Versailles,” he said.
The crowd numbers in Paris and other cities were higher than in previous protest days, given new momentum by Mr Macron’s refusal in a TV interview this week to back down on the reform.
The government plans to raise the standard retirement age from 62 to 64.
Some protesters lit fires in the streets, setting ablaze pallets and piles of uncollected rubbish, prompting firefighters to intervene.
In Paris, several hundred black-clad radical demonstrators smashed the windows of banks, shops and fast-food outlets, and destroyed street furniture.