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French march against pension reform

No major disruptions were reported as tens of thousands took to the streets over reforms some unions have denounced as 'anti-youth'.

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Tens of thousands of people took to the streets Tuesday in protest against a proposed overhaul of France's debt-ridden pension system, but no major disruptions were reported over a reform generally regarded as moderate, reports GlobalPost.

Pension overhauls are highly contentious in France -- with previous efforts in 1995 and 2010 unleashing mass protests and damaging strikes -- but the Socialist government's latest reform has not yet met with the same level of resistance.

Four hardline unions called for protests Tuesday across the country, but moderate unions did not back the call, saying they hoped to seek changes in parliament.

Overall, 370,000 workers, youths and retirees took to the streets, the CGT union said, while police estimated that 155,000 demonstrators turned up in 170 locations.

Read more of this AFP story published by GlobalPost.