French citizens will only get a full pension from the age of 64 instead of 62 now, the government’s special advisor on pension reform revealed today. Workers will still be able to retire at 62, as promised by Mr Macron during his presidential campaign, but they will only draw a full pension without any discounts if they work two years longer. The new system would be introduced in 2025, Jean-Paul Delevoye said in a report due to be presented to the prime minister.

The reform is potentially explosive, with unions having traditionally sent millions of people onto the streets to protest against previous changes to pensions.

Mr Macron has been hit by wave after wave of angry, and often violent, protests in the past year.

Beginning last November, Gilets Jaunes protestors have shut down major French cities in protest over tax reform and other deeper issues in the country, such as class division.

More than 4,000 people have been injured in the chaos, with 15 killed in protest-related traffic accidents, illnesses or injuries.

Last weekend Paris was once again plunged into chaos when protestors disrupted the annual Bastille Day parade in the heart of the city.

Police were forced to deploy tear gas when protestors warmed the Champs-Elysée.

The famous boulevard was reopened to traffic as soon as the military parade finished, but a few hundred protesters tried to occupy it.

France’s BFM television showed images of police firing tear gas to disperse the protesters, some hooded and trying to block the road with metal barricades, dustbins and other debris.

Several loud bangs could be heard. Protesters hurled objects at the police, booed and set bins on fire.

Police drove some of the demonstrators to adjacent streets where they regrouped and set up new barricades, drawing more tear gas fire.

The Police Prefecture said on Twitter it had ordered the protesters to leave the area, or be forcibly removed.

Paris was hit by more chaos later that evening when Algerian football supporters celebrated their African Cup of Nations semi-final victory. 

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