Macron tries to calm tensions over retirement changes

French President Emmanuel Macron tried Tuesday to calm nationwide tensions and salvage support for his overhaul of the country's retirement system, as France faced day 41 of crippling strikes. Clutches of union activists gathered in Paris and other cities to demand that the government scrap the pension reform altogether. The plan's toughest opponents were unmoved by the prime minister's

Struggling to save face and prevent new protest violence as

“We understand the reactions,” he told reporters in the southern city of Pau. “It’s a subject that legitimately worries people.”

“We never like change,” he said. “There were always strikes, and they're always will be on this subject.”

The strikes have hobbled public transport and disrupted schools, hospitals, courthouses and

Opponents fear the reform will force them to work longer for less money. Macron insisted that the current system of more than 42 special pension regimes, created after World War II, has become unfair and ill-suited to the current economy. The government also says it’s too costly in a country with long life expectancy.

Macron called for “calm and clarity” and promised a better explanation of what the changes will mean for different French workers.

As if bracing for new protest violence, he denounced extremist protesters who hijack demonstrations to attack police. But he also acknowledged growing concerns about police violence and called on the interior minister to improve police “ethics and controls” to prevent abuses.