French unions block ports as pension strikes lose steam

French labour unions and workers on strike attend a demonstration against French government's pensions reform plans in Nantes as France faces its 43rd consecutive day of strikes January 16, 2020. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

PARIS (Reuters) - French trade unions blocked ports and disrupted power production on Thursday, trying to force President Emmanuel Macron to ditch a planned pension overhaul, but turnout dropped again at protest marches and the impact of transport strikes weakened.

At a sixth nationwide protest demonstration organised by unions, the Interior Ministry tallied only 187,000 people marching nationwide, including 23,000 in Paris, compared to 452,000, including 56,000 in Paris, last week.