Officials in France are bracing for continued protests by the yellow vest movement in response to pension reforms advocated by French President Emmanuel Macron. Begun on December 5, the protests center on changes to retirement plans that would see benefits slashed for some. Now up to a total of four ‘striking days,’ where protesters have taken to the streets, hundreds of thousands have come out to show their commitment to the cause.Unfortunately, this has left public transport in shambles, with most of the Paris metro shut down and only two driverless lines still in operation. Even services such as the Eurostar route linking the UK and France have been affected, with the train publishing a limited timetable until January 5. While those needing access to the metro or other public transit may find themselves in a bind, passengers can take Uber or other private vehicles to navigate around the city.Fortunately for travelers, airports and tourist sites remain unaffected and in continued operation.According to The Local, despite the difficult holiday season, protest leaders are confident that public opinion remains with them and plan to continue their strike, making this the longest strike since the 1980s with no end in sight.This isn’t the first strike in 2019, as violent protests occurred earlier this year over a disconnect between the French government and its people.Featured Photo by Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images.Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.
