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A French left-wing politician has issued a chilling threat to Britain’s King Charles III ahead of his state visit as millions prepare to protest on ‘Back Thursday’, with the UK government saying there are no plans to change the royal visit.
Five thousand police officers were on the streets of Paris today as they prepared for the first day of state-sanctioned marches since President Emmanuel Macron raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote.
There have been constant night time riots since the measure was forced through by decree last Thursday, and now millions are set to gather during the day – with the biggest airport in France blocked by demonstrators this morning.
As anger rises, the King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, have been told they will be targeted if they – as planned – arrive in Paris on Sunday for a three-day visit.
A lavish banquet due to take place on Monday at the Palace of Versailles – where Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette lived before being guillotined – is already set to be moved because of the risk posed by the protesters.
A French left-wing politician has issued a chilling threat to Britain’s King Charles III (pictured with wife Camilla, the Queen Consort) ahead of his state visit as millions prepare to protest on ‘Back Thursday’
Five thousands police officers were on the streets of Paris today as they prepared for the first day of state-sanctioned marches since President Emmanuel Macron raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote. Pictured: A protester throws a bottle towards police officers in Paris on Tuesday amid on-going riots over the policy
There have been constant nigh time riots since the measure was forced through by decree last Thursday, and now millions are set to gather during the day – with the biggest airport in France blocked by demonstrators this morning
‘It’s not the right time,’ said Jean-Luc Melenchon, a regular presidential candidate and leader of the France Unbowed party, addressing the royal visit.
‘Mr King, listen, we have nothing against you here, but you’re the king of the English – that’s your business – but you should stay away from Versailles’.
The event at Versailles was meant to be the glittering highlight of the State Visit – Charles’s first as monarch.
A concert was to be held in the Royal Chapel, and then dinner would have been served on Duplessis porcelain plates made during the reign of Louis XV.
But demonstrators including opposition politicians have accused Mr Macron of being completely out of touch with the lives of ordinary people.
‘It’s amazing’ said MP Sandrine Rousseau. ‘We are going to have Emmanuel Macron, the Republican monarch meeting Charles III while people in the street are demonstrating.
‘Can this really be happening? This is an incredible denial of democracy. ‘Something is happening in this country – is the priority really to receive Charles III at Versailles?’
Versailles, which was built by the Sun King, Louis XIV, still represents the fabulous wealth and privilege of France’s pre-revolutionary Royals.
Trade unionists and other protesters have already pledged to disrupt all events attended by the British Monarch, including a trip to the south west city of Bordeaux on Tuesday.
Beyond riots, anti-Macron protests in France have included some 10,000 tonnes of rubbish building up on the streets of Paris after binmen withdrew their labour.
A Buckingham Palace source said the situation in France ‘was being monitored,’ but there were no immediate plans to cancel the trip, which starts on Sunday.
Plumes of smoke rise from burning pile of debris blocking the ongoing traffic on A620 highway in La Cepiere, Toulouse, March 23
Protesters attend a demonstration during the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against French government’s pension reform, in Nice, France, March 23
Pictured:Â Passengers walk on the road with their luggage as airport workers on strike gather outside the Terminal 1 during the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against French government’s pension reform, at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris, March 23
Pictured: Passengers walk on the road with their luggage as airport workers on strike gather outside the Terminal 1 during the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against French government’s pension reform, at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris, March 23
‘It’s not the right time,’ said Jean-Luc Melenchon (pictured today), a regular presidential candidate and leader of the France Unbowed party, addressing the royal visit
The biggest march will be between Place de la Bastille and Opera in Paris, where most of the 5000 police will be concentrated.Â
Meanwhile, militant trade unionists closed down approach roads to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris – causing chaos.
‘It is absolute pandemonium here,’ said a would-be air passenger who asked to be referred to as Trevor, 19. ‘Taxis are all at a standstill, so we’re being forced to walk on the roads with all our luggage.’
A Paris Airports spokesman confirmed that ‘Terminal 1 is blocked by activists, as well as road access to other areas.’ Pictures showed dozens of flag-waving protesters gathered outside on a main concourse at the airport.
Such scenes were replicated across France, as oil depots, town halls, ports, and other transport links were blockaded.
High-speed and regional trains, the Paris metro and public transportation systems in other major cities were disrupted. About 30 percent of flights at Paris Orly Airport were also cancelled.
Thursday’s events were the ninth round of nationwide protests and strikes called by France’s eight main unions since January. Violence has intensified in recent days at scattered protests against the pension reform and Macron’s leadership.
The French leader is stubbornly resisting the discontent on the streets, and said Wednesday that the government’s bill to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 must be implemented by the end of the year.
Critics attacked Macron for the statement, describing him as ‘self-satisfied,’ ‘out of touch’ and ‘offensive.’ Violence has intensified in recent days at scattered protests against the pension reform and Macron’s leadership, although the mass demonstrations started off in an orderly way.
Protesters staged road blockades on major highways and interchanges to slow traffic around cities that included Lille, Toulouse and Lyon. Train service was suspended in Marseille because protesters were stationed near the tracks.
In the northern suburbs of Paris, several dozen union members blocked a bus depot in Pantin, preventing about 200 vehicles from getting out during rush hour.
Nadia Belhoum, a 48-year-old bus driver participating in the action, criticized Macron’s decision to force the lower retirement age through.
The biggest march today will be between Place de la Bastille and Opera in Paris, where most of the 5000 police will be concentrated. Pictured:Â Protesters attend a demonstration during the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against French government’s pension reform, in Nantes, France, March 23
‘The president of the Republic is supposed to … take into consideration the desires and needs of his people. He is not a king, and he should listen to his people.’
Up to 50 percent of teachers in primary schools were expected to be on strike according to their main union.
The French government invoked a constitutional provision last week to get the pension bill adopted without the approval of lawmakers. The bill must now pass a review by France’s Constitutional Council before becoming law.
Macron’s government survived two no-confidence votes in the lower chamber of parliament on Monday.
The 45-year-old centrist president, who is in his second and final term, repeatedly said he was convinced that France’s retirement system needed to be modified to keep it financed. Opponents proposed other solutions, including higher taxes on the wealthy or companies, which Macron says would hurt the economy.
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