French Workers Strike and Protest , Against Plans to Raise Retirement Age.<br />Associated Press reports that French President Emmanuel Macron supports raising his country's retirement age from 62 to 64.<br />In France, everyone receives a state pension, but the country's population is aging and <br />life expectancy is increasing.<br />Macron maintains that raising the retirement age is the <br />only way to keep the system financially sustainable.<br />But workers throughout France disagree and took to the streets on Jan. 19 to protest.<br />Thousands of people in Paris, Marseille, Toulouse, Nantes, Lyon and elsewhere gathered to demonstrate. .<br />Up to 42% of teachers went on strike, electricity workers said they'd <br />reduce power supplies in protest.<br />and even some police unions took <br />to the streets in opposition.<br />The strikes disrupted transportation, <br />schools and more across France. .<br />The Versailles Palace and some exhibitions at the Louvre have closed due to the protests.<br />The Versailles Palace and some exhibitions at the Louvre have closed due to the protests.<br />The Eiffel Tower also warned <br />about possible disruptions.<br />Unions have proposed more employer payroll contributions or a tax on the wealthy to finance the pension program. .<br />AP reports that the pension bill will be presented on Jan. 23 and it will go to Parliament next month
