French President Macron holds crisis meeting as more protests loom over pension reform

Nearly two weeks after French President Emmanuel Macron rammed the new pension reform through Parliament, unions have vowed no let-up in mass protests to get the government to back down.

French President Emmanuel Macron summoned government ministers for a crisis meeting on March 27, as tensions ran high a day before another major round of strikes and protests against his pension reforms.

Nearly two weeks after Mr. Macron rammed the new law through Parliament using a special provision sidestepping any vote, unions have vowed no let-up in mass protests to get the government to back down.

They have called for another big day of action on Tuesday, the 10th such mobilisation since protests started in mid-January against the controversial law, which includes raising the retirement age to 64 from 62.

Mr. Macron, whose approval ratings in opinion polls are at a low point, said last week he accepted the "unpopularity" that came with the reform.

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, meanwhile, said that while there was no plan to drop the legislation, she was ready for fresh dialogue with unions.

"We have to find the right path... We need to calm down," she told AFP in an interview on Sunday.

Starting Monday, Ms. Borne has scheduled talks over three weeks, including with members of Parliament, political parties, local authorities and unions.