Live: Third wave of strikes, protests across France against Macron's pension reform - FRANCE 24 English

Trade unions launched a third wave of nationwide strikes on Tuesday against President Emmanuel Macron's plans to make the French work longer before retirement, a day after parliament began debate on the bill.

Follow FRANCE 24's live blog below for the latest developments.

French President Emmanuel Macron insists the proposed changes are needed to reform a moribund system – but some of the government’s own experts have said the pension system is in relatively good shape and would likely eventually return to a balanced budget even without reforms.

The multi-sector walkouts came a day after parliament began debating the controversial pension reform legislation, which will likely be a test of Macron’s ability to affect change without a working majority in the National Assembly.

Protesters clashed with police in the northwestern city of Rennes.

Scuffles also broke out in Paris, according to witnesses.