Nationwide strikes force France to reopen three fuel depots

Nationwide strikes force France to reopen three fuel depots

2010-10-20 23:43:22 GMT+7 (ICT)

PARIS (BNO NEWS) -- French police on Wednesday forcefully reopened fuel depots as the country was obligated to import six nuclear reactors' worth of energy with ongoing strikes due to President Sarkozy's pension reform.

With nationwide strikes disrupting France's fuel supply, electricity, and transportation, authorities reopened three fuel depots overnight without any incidents as one third of the nation's gas stations are out of supply.

Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux confirmed the operations as he was threatened to deploy paramilitary police to fight off rioters who have set several vehicles on fire, invaded shops, and injuring several people, including police officers.

In addition, France imported 5,990 megawatts of electricity, which is equivalent to that of six nuclear reactors. Sixteen of France's 58 reactors are currently closed, 12 for maintenance and four because of unplanned technical issues, an EDF spokeswoman said.

CGT union spokesperson, Marie-Claire Cailletaud, said output of Electricite de France SA's nuclear reactors were cut by about 3,000 megawatts.

Electricity for delivery rose as much as 22.50 euros, or 31 percent, to 95 euros ($131) a megawatt-hour and traded at 91 euros at 10:37 a.m. Paris time, according to broker data compiled by Bloomberg.

Hundreds of thousands of protestors on Tuesday took the streets of 300 towns and cities across France, setting schools and cars on fire while clashing with police who responded with tear gas and baton charges.

According to polls, over 70 percent of France's population support the demonstrations, but President Nicolas Sarkozy has remained firm on the pension reform.

"The reform is essential," Sarkozy said. "France is committed to it and will go ahead with it."

In the past week, around 1,400 people have been arrested in relation to disrupting riots and protests, Hortefeux said. The massive strike began last week, just after French lawmakers passed a key measure of the pension reform bill, which will raise the retirement age for workers with full pension from 65 to 67.

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