France stands firm on pension reform as fresh demos loom

TENS of thousands of protesters prepared to hit streets across France today over a pensions overhaul that has sparked a crippling transport strike, though government officials insist they will not give in to union demands they drop the plan.

Pressure on President Emmanuel Macron is growing just days ahead of the Christmas break, after the top official overseeing the pension negotiations was forced to resign yesterday over a salary scandal.