The French President Nicolas Sarkozy had hoped to postpone national pension reform until after the next presidential election in 2012. However, the global downturn and subsequent stress on the French economy forced him to bring in the reforms sooner than he had hoped. To avoid the future burden of France’s growing national debt levels the controversial law was proposed increasing the retirement age from 60 to 62 and the full state pension from 65 to 67. These images document the numerous public demonstrations held in Paris against the reforms. While the display of public anger was there for all to see with trade unions, public sector workers and students holding mass protests and strikes across the city, it unfortunately failed to halt the passing of the new law.