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Paris RIOTS: Europhile Macron effigy in FLAMES as he faces MAJOR backlash over reforms

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CHAOS erupted in Paris on Tuesday as thousands of people gathered to protest against Emmanuel Macron’s controversial reforms with shocking footage showing striking public sector workers set fire to an effigy of the French President.

Police and protestors were involved in violent clashes in the French capital on Tuesday after people gathered to protest against ’ controversial economic reforms.

The country’s labour unions urged civil servants, hospital staff and other state employees to join nationwide street protests.

Shocking footage shows a papier-mache effigy head of Mr Macron in flames as it sits in a shopping trolley.

The furious protestors can be seen applauding the burning sculpture of the French President.

The striking French public service workers joined in the Place de la Nation, Paris, on Tuesday in protest against government plans to cut 120,000 government administration jobs by 2022.

The protesters are demanding higher wages and have condemned the increasing use of short-term contracts in the public services sector.

Police estimate more than 15,000 people took to the streets today in Paris, with smaller groups marching in other cities.

What started as a peaceful demonstration led to outbreaks of violence in the capital as riot police charged some groups with batons and threw stun grenades and tear gas.

Police said two shops were destroyed while a bus stop was also wrecked.

Other demonstrators lit flares and set objects, including wheelie bins, on fire.

20 demonstrators were arrested, according to police.

The latest protest, seen in Paris and across France, marks the third time unions have launched a demonstration against Mr Macron since his election in May 2017.

A previous demonstration drew some 320,000 people into the streets in March, while another saw just under 50,000 take to the streets.