Lights Go Out at French Rugby Game as Anger Over Pension Reforms Continues
A French club rugby match was interrupted by a power cut on Thursday, April 27, at the Armandie stadium in Agen, amid continued public and worker anger over pension reforms.
The power at the stadium went 49 minutes and 30 seconds into the game, local media said, in an allusion to Article 49.3 of the French constitution, which allowed President Emmanuel Macron to pass his pension and retirement reforms without a parliamentary vote.
Guillaume Floret, a representative of the CGT Energy union, was quoted by Le Petit Bleu d’Agen as claiming responsibility on the organization’s behalf. He said it was necessary to “send a new message to Macron” after the president had launched a 100-day campaign of “ambition and action” after months of protest.
The mayor of Agen, Jean Dionis, said he would file a complaint against the “irresponsible” and “dangerous” action.
The game resumed after around half an hour, with the away team Nevers winning 21-17. Credit: Gauvain Peleau via Storyful
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