PARIS — Airlines flying into France were ordered to slash schedules — and to bring enough fuel for the trip out. Gas stations ran short or dry, while truckers jammed highway traffic Monday by driving at a snail’s pace, a tactic known in French as “operation escargot.”
Strikes over the government’s plans to raise the retirement age to 62 from 60 disrupted daily life and a wide swath of industry — from oil refining to travel to shipping — as protesters fought a proposal they say tampers with the near-sacred French social contract.
Teens, who usually don’t worry about old age, joined in the protests, with at least 261 high schools blocked or disrupted Monday. Some turned violent and 290 youths were arrested, the Interior Ministry said. Students set cars and tires on fire, toppled a telephone booth and hurled debris at police in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, as well as in Lyon and elsewhere. At least five police officers were injured.
Street demonstrations were planned in more than 200 cities across France today — the sixth nationwide day of protest marches since early September. Today was also expected to bring more severe disruptions to air travel, trains, schools and beyond.
Many in France consider retiring at 60 a pillar of France’s hard-won social contract — and fear this is just the first step in eroding their often-envied quality of life. Critics say President Nicolas Sarkozy wants to adopt an “American-style capitalist” system, and they claim the government could find pension savings elsewhere, such as by raising contributions from employers.
The protests in France come as countries across Europe are cutting spending and raising taxes to bring down record deficits and debts from the worst recession in 70 years.
Sarkozy’s conservative government points out that 62 is among the lowest retirement ages in Europe, the French are living much longer and the pension system is losing money.
“This reform is essential, France is committed to it and France will carry it out,” Sarkozy said Monday in Normandy’s beach resort of Deauville.
