Nationwide Strike in France: Most Gas Stations Cease Operations

Today, March 7, a nationwide strike is taking place in France. A map has been published showing that a significant number of gas stations across the country have also ceased operations as a result of the strike. According to Jean-Edouard de Mesnily, the secretary general of the Confederation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (CPME), this single day of protests will cost the country around €1.5 billion.

"The one-day strike against the pension reform will cost France €1.5 billion," he stated in an interview with RMC radio.

Back in February, French trade unions had announced March 7 as the day for a nationwide strike, calling for a complete blockade of the country if the government did not withdraw its proposed pension reform bill from consideration.

It is important to note that on January 10, French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne presented a government proposal for pension reform, which aims to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. However, this increase is set to occur gradually, concluding in 2030. The new rule will apply to those born after September 1961.

French President Emmanuel Macron had announced during his 2022 electoral campaign that he intended to implement pension reforms before the end of his second term. The proposed reform has sparked a wave of protests among the public, with five nationwide demonstrations already held in just one month.