Yellow vests and paralyzed trade unions France | Chronic

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated Tuesday throughout France, supported by four unions and left parties, to demand an increase in purchasing power and the cessation of police violence, with a general strike and a demonstration reinforcing the claims of "yellow vests".

The General Confederation of Labor, the main promoter of this "Tuesday of social emergency" which gathered 160 demonstrations all over France, declared in a communique its intention to continue its work on the research of "Convergences" with this rebel movement that went down the street for the first time on November 17.

About 30,000 people protested in Paris, according to the account of the CGT, meanwhile, the police prefecture reported that the demonstrators were 18,000.

"It was a day of success that calls others"he claimed Philippe MartinezSecretary General of the CGT.

"There were a lot of yellow vests and that's a good thing, the common claims, we have them, they are social, apart from the color of the vests, I do not see a lot of differences", added the president of the main French labor federation

"We had to get to know each other", said after the Martinez joint march on France Inter radio.

The unions demanded a 20% increase in the minimum wage, control of state aid granted to large companies, increased development of public services or respect for public freedoms, such as the right to protest, the agency reported. Press EFE.

The strike has caused disruptions in air traffic, urban and interurban train networks and public transport in many French regions. In addition, the measure of force disrupted public school clbades and heavily affected public service employees, while the Eiffel Tower, one of the most visited sites by tourism in Paris, was closed to the public.

"A day of strike in which the Eiffel Tower closes is a day of success in terms of mobilization"concluded Martinez.

In the afternoon and during the demonstration, the French National Assembly (deputies) approved at first reading a law by which the government intended to put an end to the riots recorded in the demonstrations of the yellow vests, with the vote against the left and discomfort on the part of the ruling party, which considers it dangerous for individual liberties.

Controversial law proposal, promoted by the Republican conservative party and popularly known as "riot law", was approved by 387 votes in favor, 92 against and 74 abstentions, including 50 from La Republica en Marcha (LREM), the party of President Emmnauel Macron.

The text envisages authorizing the authorities to prohibit pre-emptively participation in demonstrations of individuals considered dangerous.

Also, fine and sentence to one year in prison those who voluntarily hide their faces, or register at the request of prefecture handbags and even vehicles in search of tools that can be used to ; weapons.

Hundreds of people were injured and more than 1,700 were arrested during riots and clashes with police registered during the 12 demonstrations organized by the yellow vests in Paris and in other cities. since November.

About fifteen more than 200 majority MPs "Macronista" They said that they would not vote in favor, lest the law be misused, in case the far right came to power.
Finally, and although 50 of his deputies abstained, none took a stand against.

The text will now be considered by the Senate on March 12 and will be returned to the National Assembly for final approval.