French retirement age strike hits schools and trains
By Paul Kirby
BBC News
A nationwide strike is under way in France in a second wave of protests against President Emmanuel Macron's plans to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Eight big unions are taking part in the strike, which is disrupting schools, public transport and oil refineries.
Protests are expected across France, after more than a million people took part in the first day of action earlier this month.
Half of primary teachers are on strike.
The Macron government is pushing ahead with its pension age reforms in the face of opinion polls that suggest two-thirds of voters are opposed to the changes, which begin their passage through National Assembly next week.
Without a majority in parliament, the government will have to rely on the right-wing Republicans for support as much as the ruling parties' own MPs.
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