Protests took place across France on Thursday, March 16, after President Emmanuel Macron forced through pension reforms without calling a vote in parliament.

The government used a special constitutional power known as Article 49:3 to raise the retirement age in France from 62 to 64, France 24 reported. The controversial reform had prompted nationwide strikes since January.

Footage posted to Instagram shows protesters in Paris on Thursday. Credit: @therealyoucef via Storyful

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