Huge crowds march across France, raising pressure against Macron's pension reform

FILE PHOTO-Police officers clash with protesters as they demonstrate against the French government's pension reform plan in Paris, France, January 19, 2023. Adrien AdcaZz via REUTERS.

PARIS (Reuters) - Huge crowds marched across France on Tuesday to say "non" to President Emmanuel Macron's plan to make people work longer before retirement, with pressure in the streets intensifying against a government that says it will stand its ground.

Opinion polls show a substantial majority of the French oppose increasing the retirement age to 64 from 62, a move Macron says is "vital" to ensuring the viability of the pension system.