Iran Press/ Europe: Protesters in this rally demanded the resignation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
On Thursday, the French government approved the amendments to the pension law by implementing Article 49.3 of the Constitution. This article allows the government to pass the laws it wants via bypassing the parliament.
For the second night, Place de la Concorde (Concorde Square), facing the National Assembly across the river Seine, became the place for protesters to express their anger over the government's forced passage of the pension reform bill that used a special constitutional power.
In the footage broadcast on television, clashes broke out between the police and some protesters. An effigy of French President Emmanuel Macron was also shown burnt by protesters.
On Thursday evening, spontaneous protests turned violent across France. According to French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, some 10,000 people gathered at Place de la Concorde, while 52,000 participated in demonstrations organized in 24 other cities across France.
French police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse people at Place de la Concorde and arrested more than 200.
More public service sectors, including energy, railway, aviation, announced on Friday to extend their strikes following the use of the special constitutional power by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne to force passage of the pension reform bill. 219
