PARIS — Police used tear gas and water cannons against rampaging youths in Lyon yesterday, while the government showed its muscle in Parliament, stopping a tense Senate debate on a bill raising the retirement age to 62.
Despite growing pressure, President Nicolas Sarkozy held firm on a measure he says is crucial to France, heightening the standoff with unions that see retirement at 60 as a hard-earned right.
The protests have even forced Lady Gaga to cancel Paris concerts.