King Charles postpones France trip as citizens protest in streets over Macron

Britain's King Charles III has postponed his upcoming visit to France amid escalating street protests and municipal worker strikes over President Emmanuel Macron decision to make residents wait a year longer for pension benefits.

Charles was scheduled to go to France and Germany this week, but will now go only to Germany.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office said the cancellation is at the request of Marcon and another date will be scheduled for the French visit.

"This decision was taken with the consent of all parties, after the president of France asked the British government to postpone the visit," Sunak said.

Over 450 protesters were arrested in Paris earlier this week over the recent pension reforms that change the retirement age in France from 62 to 64.

The Macron government narrowly survived a no-confidence vote Monday, as opposition lawmakers contested his decision to force changes to the pension system without the parliament's support.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 441 police officers and gendarmes were injured due to some of the violence of the protests. He said that 1,000 trash bins were set on fire inside the French capital.

Polls released earlier this week show about 65% of the French people disapproved of Macron's decision. Only 30% agreed with the reforms.