French anger spreads after Macron forces pension age rise

Strikes escalate and MPs call for protection as interior minister warns protesters against wreaking havoc

Refinery strikes have escalated in France as the interior minister spoke of protesters wreaking havoc across the country and some MPs called for police protection, amid anger at the government pushing through a rise in the pension age without a parliamentary vote.

More than 300 people were arrested across France overnight during spontaneous protests against Emmanuel Macron's decision to bypass parliament and force through his unpopular pensions changes, including raising the eligible age from 62 to 64.