Mass strikes rock Paris, London

PARIS — The capitals of France and Britain were in turmoil as striking workers flooded the streets on Tuesday to protest changes in pension law and job losses as governments across Europe tighten their belts.

In Paris, more than one million workers marched against President Nicolas Sarkozy’s plan to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62, the centrepiece of his reform agenda.

Labour unions called for the showdown over the pensions bill, which Mr. Sarkozy insists he will push through as an “absolute priority” and which was presented to a stormy session in parliament even as the marches continued.

He told lawmakers from his majority Union pour un Mouvement Populaire party they must remain “firm” in raising the retirement age.

The Paris march was so large the marchers were forced to split into two parallel routes through the city.

In southern France, protesters braved heavy storms to turn out in large numbers, while in Paris and the north they marched in bright fall sunshine, in a cheerful mood with no reports of serious trouble.

Schools, the national rail network, some public services and domestic air services were severely disrupted. Passengers complained of long delays on commuter train services and the Métro in and around Paris.

Analysts said the large turnout — estimated by organizers at 2.5 million — would probably not be enough to secure much more than marginal concessions beyond the essentials of what many regard as the flagship of Mr. Sarkozy’s five-year term, which ends next year