France on fire: The protests, explained
The Story
The Times
3.9 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 31 March 2023
⏱️ 30 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The driving force behind protests against President Macron’s pension plans are young people defending their inheritance: retirement at 62. But for many, it’s also about something much bigger than pensions.
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Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.
Host: Sean O’Neill.
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Clips: Dr Patrick Preston, AP, BFMTV, Global News, BBC News, France 24.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | As Nigel opened his Amazon parcel, it was in love at first sight, sleek design and effortless cornering. |
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| 0:21.0 | Picture the scene. It's last Thursday evening. |
| 0:34.0 | A couple are sitting at a little table. I've had a bar and board owe. |
| 0:38.0 | Cobbled streets, glasses of red wine, deep and animated conversation. |
| 0:45.0 | It's France exactly as you'd imagine it. |
| 0:48.0 | Except for this. |
| 0:55.0 | In the background, the street is on fire. |
| 0:58.0 | Literally on fire, flames leaping ten feet in the air. |
| 1:06.0 | In the video, posted online, someone has written at the bottom. |
| 1:10.0 | Bienvenue on France. Welcome to France. |
| 1:23.0 | This is just the latest in a way of a protest, strikes a nationwide riot since January. |
| 1:29.0 | About three-quarters of a million people joined marches on Tuesday. |
| 1:34.0 | On security advice, King Charles had to call off his state visit. |
| 1:42.0 | The police had used tear gas and stun grenades and hundreds and hundreds of people have been arrested. |
| 1:51.0 | On paper, it's all about pensions. |
| 1:54.0 | President Macron wants people to work an extra two years, retiring at 64 instead of 62. |
| 2:01.0 | But it's also about something much bigger than that. |
| 2:05.0 | This movement represents human rights, like it's a philosophy of life. |
| 2:23.0 | You're listening to stories of our times, from the times and the Sunday times. |
| 2:27.0 | I'm Sean O'Neill. Today, the French protests explained. |
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