France, Jan. 31 -- Leading unions claimed nearly 700,000 people took to the streets of four French cities on Tuesday to protest against proposed changes to the French pensions system.

Twelve days ago, the CGT said 400,000 demonstrators marched through the French capital to complain about President Emmanuel Macron's vow to raise the pension age to 64 from 62 - which is the lowest level in any major European economy.

Macron made the change part of this re-election manifesto last April.

He insists the reform is essential to guarantee the future financing of thepension system, which is forecast to tip into deficit in the next few years.

Opponents point out that the system is balanced and that the head of the independent Pensions Advisory ...