TENS of thousands of people in France have been protesting against President Emmanuel Macron’s unpopular labour reforms in central Paris today.
The labour reforms that President Macron is trying to pass through a reform that means it would be easier to hire and fire employees and give companies more power over working conditions.
The French far-left opposition party leader Jean-Luc Melenchon hopes that the show of force against Macron will show that he is the President’s strongest political opponent.
Thousands of Melenchon supporters, environmental activists, anti-capitalism campaigners and students gathered at the Place de la Bastille on Friday for a march through Paris.
Melenchon’s France Unbowed party said it bused in protesters from more than 150 French towns.
One sign read “Macron, Resign!”Some of the protesters carried banners reading “Macron president of the wealthy” and others chanted “Resistance! Resistance!”
Brigitte Gerard, 59, said: “There is a lot of anger.
“I don’t think they’re aware of it. They’re cut off from reality. I oppose Macron’s ultra-liberal policy.”
The centrist President formally signed the labour reforms on Friday and they are due to begin by the beginning of next year.
The unions and many in France think that the law goes too far in weakening worker protections.
Mr Mélenchon wants the labour reforms to be withdrawn.
Macron and his team have repeatedly vowed to not bow from any pressures coming from the streets and they strongly believe the changes will reduce the high unemployment.
Today is the third in a series of nationwide protests as President Macron’s popularity continues to plummet.