Mass demonstrations, transport chaos and clashes between police and participants have been feared ahead of Thursday's planned demonstrations in France. And already early in the day, it is reported that the police in Marseille and Paris have used tear gas to disperse demonstrations that have been arranged without permission.
Among other things, the anger is about Macron's controversial changes when it comes to pensions in the country.
Severe traffic disruptions
Trade unions have called for a strike, around a third of teachers have laid down their work and nine out of ten pharmacies closed on Thursday. In addition, travelers are affected by severe traffic disruptions in the Paris metro, where only three driverless automatic lines are running as usual.
Early in the morning, a trade union protest was held to block bus depots.
The goal is to show the government that we are here, that we are tired of being taxed like crazy, that we are tired of having problems making ends meet on the 15th of the month, says garbage truck driver Samuel Gaillard.
New Prime Minister
Last week, the country's new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was sworn in. He has promised to break with the past, but it does not seem to have helped to calm the people's anger.
Emmanuel Macron has one and a half years left on the presidential post and is currently leading the country with his lowest popularity figures so far.
