French left-wing politician issues chilling threat to Charles III ahead of visit

A French left-wing politician has issued a chilling threat to Britain’s King Charles III ahead of his state visit as millions prepare to protest on ‘Back Thursday’.

Five thousand police officers were on the streets of Paris today as they prepared for the first day of state-sanctioned marches since President Emmanuel Macron raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote.

There have been constant night riots since the measure was enforced by decree last Thursday, and now millions will gather during the day – with France’s largest airport blocked by protesters this morning.

As anger mounts, the king and Camilla, the queen consort, have been told they will be targeted when they arrive in Paris on Sunday for a three-day visit as planned.

A lavish banquet set to take place on Monday at the Palace of Versailles — where Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette lived before they were beheaded — is already being moved because of the risk posed by the protesters.

“It’s not the right time,” Jean-Luc Melenchon, a standing presidential candidate and leader of the France Unbowed party, said during the royal visit.

‘Mr King, listen, we have nothing against you here, but you are the King of the English – that’s your business – but you must stay out of Versailles’.

The event at Versailles was intended to be the glittering climax of the state visit – Charles’s first as monarch.

A concert would be held in the Royal Chapel, and then dinner would be served on Duplessis porcelain plates made during the reign of Louis XV.

But protesters, including opposition politicians, have accused Macron of being completely out of touch with the lives of ordinary people.

“It’s great,” said MP Sandrine Rousseau. “We are going to have Emmanuel Macron, the Republican monarch, meet Charles III while people are demonstrating in the streets.

‘Can this really happen? This is an incredible denial of democracy. “Something is happening in this country – is it really the priority to receive Charles III at Versailles?”

Built by the Sun King, Louis XIV, Versailles still represents the fabulous wealth and privileges of France’s pre-revolutionary royal houses.

Trade unionists and other protesters have already vowed to disrupt any events attended by the British monarch, including a trip to the southwestern city of Bordeaux on Tuesday.

In addition to riots, anti-Macron protests in France have also left some 10,000 tons of rubbish on the streets of Paris after garbage collectors withdrew their labour.

A source at Buckingham Palace said the situation in France was being “monitored” but there were no immediate plans to cancel the trip, which begins on Sunday.

The largest march will take place between the Place de la Bastille and the Opera in Paris, where most of the 5,000 police will be concentrated.

Meanwhile, militant unionists closed access roads to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, causing chaos.

“It’s absolute pandemonium here,” said a future airline passenger who asked to be called Trevor, 19. “Taxis are all standing still, so we are forced to walk down the road with all our luggage. ‘

A spokesman for Paris Airports confirmed that “Terminal 1 is blocked by activists, as well as access to other areas.” Photos showed dozens of flag-waving protesters gathered outside in a central lobby at the airport.

Such scenes were repeated throughout France, as oil depots, town halls, ports and other transport links were blocked.

High-speed and regional trains, the Paris metro and public transport in other major cities were disrupted. About 30 percent of flights at Paris Orly Airport were also cancelled.

Thursday’s events marked the ninth round of nationwide protests and strikes since January by France’s eight main trade unions. Violence has escalated in recent days amid scattered protests against the pension reform and Macron’s leadership.

Stubbornly resisting street discontent, the French leader said on Wednesday that the government’s bill to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 should be implemented by the end of the year.

Critics attacked Macron for the statement, describing him as “smug,” “out of bounds” and “abusive.” Violence has increased in recent days with scattered protests against the pension reform and Macron’s leadership, although mass demonstrations began in an orderly fashion.

Protesters organized roadblocks on major highways and interchanges to slow down traffic around cities such as Lille, Toulouse and Lyon. Train service in Marseille was suspended as protesters were stationed at the tracks.

In the northern suburbs of Paris, several dozen union members blocked a bus depot in Pantin, preventing about 200 vehicles from getting out during rush hour.

Nadia Belhoum, a 48-year-old bus driver who took part in the action, criticized Macron’s decision to force the lower retirement age.

“The President of the Republic is supposed… to be considerate of the desires and needs of his people. He is not a king and he must listen to his people.’

According to the main union, up to 50 percent of primary school teachers would go on strike.

The French government last week invoked a constitutional provision to get the pension law passed without the approval of lawmakers. The bill must now be reviewed by France’s Constitutional Council before it becomes law.

Macron’s government survived two no-confidence motions in the House of Representatives on Monday.

The 45-year-old center president, who is in his second and final term, said repeatedly that he was convinced that the French pension system needed to be adjusted to keep it funded. Opponents proposed other solutions, including higher taxes on the wealthy or businesses, which Macron said would hurt the economy.