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Emmanuel Macron rushed out of Paris theatre after protesters try to confront him

Police tried to hold back the protesters but some managed to enter the building, amid chants of "Macron, resign!"

Saturday 18 January 2020 10:34, UK

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French protesters chased down President Emmanuel Macron at an evening theatre performance in northern Paris
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French President Emmanuel Macron has been rushed out of a theatre in Paris after protesters tried to confront him.

Dozens of demonstrators had gathered outside the Les Bouffes du Nord theatre on Friday evening where Mr Macron was watching a play, reportedly with his wife Brigitte.

Police tried to hold back the protesters but some managed to enter the building, amid chants of "Macron, resign!" and "We are here, even if Macron does not want us we are here".

Protesters chanted outside the theatre
Image: Dozens of protesters had gathered outside the theatre
Police confronted the protesters
Image: Police tried to stop the demonstrators but some entered the building

A black car reported to be carrying the French president then sped away under a hail of boos.

According to reports, he later returned to the theatre to watch the play - a modernist drama called The Fly.

The incident came on the 44th day of strikes aimed at overturning the French government's plans to overhaul the country's pension system.

On Friday, protesters blocked the entrance to the Louvre museum and forced the famous Paris landmark to close.

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Striking workers block the entry at the glass Pyramid of the Louvre museum in Paris as France faces its 44th consecutive day of strikes January 17, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
Image: Protesters blocked the entrance to the Louvre museum

Some museum employees were among the demonstrators who chanted: "Mona Lisa in on strike, Leonardo is on strike."

It is the first time since railway strikes and protests against the pension overhaul began on 5 December that the Louvre and its Leonardo da Vinci exhibit were fully shut down.

Tourists queue as striking workers block the entry at the glass Pyramid of the Louvre museum in Paris as France faces its 44th consecutive day of strikes January 17, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
Image: Tourists wait to get into the Louvre museum during the protest

Several dozen people also invaded the headquarters of the CFDT union, which favours a point-system that Mr Macron wants to put in place to determine retirement benefits.

The protesters were seen on video singing and mocking the union's leader.

Mr Macron condemned the action as violent, unacceptable and "shameful for our democracy."

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the opening day of the "Made in France" event at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France, January 17, 2020. Michel Euler/Pool via REUTERS
Image: Mr Macron has faced weeks of protests

Meanwhile, dozens of lawyers opposing the president's proposed pension reforms put on a dance show in Versailles wearing their black robes.

Unions have called for a seventh round of street marches next Friday, when the contested pension plan is to be presented to France's cabinet.

The weeks of strikes and protests have disrupted public transport, schools, hospitals, courthouses and even opera houses and the Eiffel tower.

French labour unions and workers on strike attend a demonstration against French government's pensions reform plans in Paris as France faces its 43rd consecutive day of strikes January 16, 2020. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Image: Unions have called for a seventh round of street marches next Friday

Major French retailers Fnac Darty and Casino said that business in France has been badly affected by the strikes.

Fnac Darty said the strikes had cost it around €70m (£60m) in lost revenue.

Meanwhile, Casino estimates that the strikes in December cost it about €80m (£68m) in lost revenue.

Workers of the Paris transport network (RATP) on strike attend a demonstration against French government's pensions reform plans in Paris as France faces its 43rd consecutive day of strikes January 16, 2020. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Image: Workers of the Paris transport network (RATP) attend a strike

The French prime minister's office said earlier this week that the SNCF train authority and the RATP, which runs public transport, had lost more than a €1bn (£852m) since the start of the strike.

Trains have suffered most, so far losing some €850m (£724m).

While the number of striking workers has diminished since the movement, the country's trains and the Paris subway were still disrupted on Friday.

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