Paris, 15 April 2023 (dpa/MIA) — France's controversial pension reform is officially law, following the government's publication of the legal text in the official register on Saturday, but opponents aren't giving up and plan to continue to oppose the changes.

The official publication followed approval on Friday from the Constitutional Council that declared the plan to gradually raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 years essentially in conformity with the constitution. The law is to take effect in September.

A referendum, which opponents of the reform had hoped for, was declared inadmissible by the constitutional authorities.

That news was greeted by protests in Paris, Nice, Nantes, Rennes and other cities. In Paris alone, 112 demonstrators were arrested on Friday evening and 30 rubbish bins were set alight, the television station "BFMTV" reported, citing the police.

Photos showed burning bins in front of the Paris city hall. In several other cities such as Strasbourg, Lyon and Nantes there were also protests. In Rennes the door of a police station was set on fire. There had already been rallies and roadblocks earlier in the day.

Demonstrations are also expected on Saturday, while the trade unions called for new protest marches on May 1.

"The struggle continues and we must join forces," said left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

The Socialists announced a motion to repeal the law. Party member and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo warned that the reform is dividing French society.

"I appeal to the president: He must hear the overwhelming majority that is speaking out all over France against this reform that is dividing the country," she said.

France's right-wing nationalist Marine Le Pen, buoyed by the pensions row, called for the government and Macron to be punished in the next election. "The people always have the last word." She wants to roll back the reform if she comes to power.

Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, on the other hand, said on Friday night that the pension reform had now reached the end of the democratic process.

"Tonight there are no winners and no losers." With the reform, the pension fund would be balanced in 2030, the government announced.

Currently, the retirement age in France is 62, but in fact, retirement starts later on average: those who have not paid in long enough for a full pension work longer. At 67, a pension is available without deductions, regardless of the length of time paid in – and this is to be maintained.

The plan is extremely controversial in France. The trade unions consider it brutal and unfair.