‘French Spiderman’ Climbs Paris Skyscraper as Protest In opposition to Pension Regulation

PARIS (Reuters) – A free climber often called the “French Spiderman” scaled a 38-storey skyscraper in Paris on Wednesday to show his assist for protesters offended a few pension regulation that can delay the age at which individuals can retire in France.

Alain Robert, 60, climbs with no harness, utilizing solely his naked fingers and a pair of climbing footwear.

“I am right here to indicate my assist for individuals who oppose the pension reform,” he advised Reuters earlier than beginning his ascent of the 150-metre (492 foot) skyscrapper in Paris’ La Protection enterprise district.

“I am right here to inform (President) Emmanuel Macron to return again right down to earth … by climbing with no security internet.”

Robert stated the pension reform, which Macron signed into regulation on the weekend after months of road protests, meant that, mixed with a lack of earnings as a result of COVID pandemic, he must carry on working, and climbing, for longer.

Underneath the reform, the French retirement age will regularly rise to 64 from 62.

Robert has scaled greater than 150 towering buildings worldwide, together with Dubai’s Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest constructing – the Eiffel Tower, and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

(Reporting by Noemie Olive and Clotaire Achi; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Modifying by Gareth Jones)

Copyright 2023 Thomson Reuters.