Million people protest in France

For the fifth time since early September, over a million people took to the streets of big French cities in protest to the announced pension system reforms. In addition, France is facing a complete traffic blockage due to the gasoline shortage, caused by the oil refineries being on strike for several days. Million people protest in France Although all 12 French refineries are on the strike, with ten of them in complete hiatus, Minister of Ecology Christine Lagarde said that there were no shortages and that the fuel reserves could last for several weeks. However, it is feared that the international airport Charles de Gaulle in Paris could be suspended on Monday evening, because kerosene reserves would hold out only until then. At the same time, in the streets of Paris, Toulouse, Marseilles and Lyon the citizens are protesting against the announced pension system reform. "If we ever get a job, we’ll have to work until we’re 70," said Joanna Mor Murette, a student. "We’re fed up with the protests, but the government leaves us no choice. They do not want to listen to the French people, Sarkozy does not want to change the reforms, even though I think that at this time there is money in France", said member of the CGT Union Jean-Charles Bertrand. The protesters oppose the suggested raise in the retirement age from 60 to 62, or from 65 to 67 for a full state pension. The proposal has already passed the lower house of Parliament and the upper house, the Senate, will consider it on October 20. The rallies against the reforms are scheduled for October 19. "The more our government explains its position, the less support it has among the people. The more we explain our point of view, the more support we have among the people. Those who are in the minority should change", Socialist Party spokesman Benoit Amon said. CGT leader Bernard Thibault says there is a local initiative to change something. "Today, there are several million working people taking the initiative in their companies, cities and towns. Each of them can do whatever they think is right," Thibault said. Police estimates that approximately 380 thousand disgruntled citizens took the Parisian streets on Saturday, joined by high school and university students. "The people of France expressed their attitude in a very clear manner. So we have to force the government to change their attitudes and to begin negotiations with the unions," said Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoe. Protests in Paris (Beta)

Million people protest in France

Although all 12 French refineries are on the strike, with ten of them in complete hiatus, Minister of Ecology Christine Lagarde said that there were no shortages and that the fuel reserves could last for several weeks.

However, it is feared that the international airport Charles de Gaulle in Paris could be suspended on Monday evening, because kerosene reserves would hold out only until then.

At the same time, in the streets of Paris, Toulouse, Marseilles and Lyon the citizens are protesting against the announced pension system reform.

"If we ever get a job, we’ll have to work until we’re 70," said Joanna Mor Murette, a student.

"We’re fed up with the protests, but the government leaves us no choice. They do not want to listen to the French people, Sarkozy does not want to change the reforms, even though I think that at this time there is money in France", said member of the CGT Union Jean-Charles Bertrand.

The protesters oppose the suggested raise in the retirement age from 60 to 62, or from 65 to 67 for a full state pension.

The proposal has already passed the lower house of Parliament and the upper house, the Senate, will consider it on October 20. The rallies against the reforms are scheduled for October 19.

"The more our government explains its position, the less support it has among the people. The more we explain our point of view, the more support we have among the people. Those who are in the minority should change", Socialist Party spokesman Benoit Amon said.

CGT leader Bernard Thibault says there is a local initiative to change something.

"Today, there are several million working people taking the initiative in their companies, cities and towns. Each of them can do whatever they think is right," Thibault said.

Police estimates that approximately 380 thousand disgruntled citizens took the Parisian streets on Saturday, joined by high school and university students.

"The people of France expressed their attitude in a very clear manner. So we have to force the government to change their attitudes and to begin negotiations with the unions," said Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoë.