Hundreds of thousands marched in France on Thursday to protest President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform.

Since January, huge crowds have gathered at rallies organized by unions to protest the legislation which raises the retirement age by two-years to 64.

According to labour unions, Thursday’s ninth national day of action against Macron’s lies and “scorn” would attract huge crowds.

On Wednesday, Macron provoked anger from opposition parties and unions when he refused to listen to growing popular anger.

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Philippe Martinez, leader of the CGT union’s hardline CGT unit, said that the best way to respond to the president is to say there are millions on strike.

The strike on Thursday will cause major disruption to train traffic, as well as airports. Teachers among other professions will also be affected. Meanwhile, rolling strikes continue at oil stations and among garbage collectors.

While most protests were peaceful, anger has grown since last week when the government passed the bill without any vote.

In Paris, there have been spontaneous protests and police scuffles over the past seven nights.

Macron maintained his convictions on Wednesday, stating that the new law was needed and would be in force by the end of this year.

He rejected calls to fire Elisabeth Borne as his prime minister. Borne has been at forefront of pension reform and sought to turn the pages. He assigned her to broaden her parliamentary majority, and to re-engage with unions.

Olivier Faure, head of Socialist Party, said that “he has added explosives to an already well lit inferno.”

This latest protest represents the biggest challenge to the authority of the president since the revolt against the Yellow Vest four years ago. According to polls, a large majority of French are opposed to the proposed pension legislation and its push through parliament without a vote.