Paris' main airport and many trains across the country were disrupted and hundreds of schools blockaded as polls show the leader suffering politically for his moves.
and took to the streets to show their anger. Disruptions were particularly bad at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport, but regional and commuter trains and subway systems were also hit as videos on social media showed un-emptied dumpsters set alight and police firing tear gas to control crowds.
The president said if it came down to a choice between his popularity and finding a solution for the country, he'd accept being unpopular. That's good, because polls released Thursday showed about 65% of the French people saying he's a bad president. Only 30% found his defense of the reforms convincing.
Macron has long said the reforms were necessary to ensure today's young French nationals have a pension when they retire. But many workers say he could pay for that by taxing the ultra-rich instead.
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